Feedback device and thermal feedback providing method using same

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a feedback device and a method of providing thermal feedback using the same. A method for calibration of an intensity of a thermal feedback of a feedback device may comprise: outputting the thermal feedback in order from a weak intensity to a strong intensity among a plurality of intensities of the thermal feedback; obtaining a first user input; setting an intensity of the thermal feedback outputted at the time of the obtaining the first user input to a lowest intensity of the thermal feedback; obtaining a second user input; setting an intensity of the thermal feedback outputted at the time of the obtaining the second user input to a highest intensity of the thermal feedback; setting at least one intermediate intensity; and outputting the thermal feedback by using the lowest intensity, the highest intensity and the at least one intermediate intensity.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a feedback device and a method ofproviding thermal feedback using the same.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, with the development of technologies for virtual reality (VR)and augmented reality (AR), demands for providing feedback throughvarious senses to improve user's immersion in content have beenincreasing. In particular, in the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES),virtual reality technology was introduced as one of future promisingtechnologies. With this trend, research is being actively carried out toprovide a user experience with respect to all human senses including anolfactory sense and a tactile sense beyond a user experience (UX) whichis mainly limited to a visual sense and an auditory sense.

A thermoelement (TE) is a device which produces an exothermic reactionor an endothermic reaction through a Peltier effect by receivingelectric energy. The thermoelement is expected to be used for providingthermal feedback to a user. However, a conventional thermoelement mainlyusing a flat substrate has been limited in application thereof becauseit is difficult to press the conventional thermoelement against a user'sbody part.

However, in recent years, as development of a flexible thermoelement(FTE) has reached a successful stage, the flexible thermoelement isexpected to overcome the problems of the conventional thermoelectricdevices and to effectively transfer thermal feedback to a user.

Meanwhile, in recent years, a 4D theater which aims to maximizeenjoyment of multimedia content using various senses, such as a tactilesense, has gained popularity over a conventional theater or movietheater which only depends on visual and auditory senses.

Examples of various effects used in the 4D theater include an effect,referred to as a personal effect or a chair effect, which is applied toeach audience member, and an environment effect which creates an overallatmosphere instead of being applied to each chair. Water jet, face jet,seat drop, vibration, leg tickler, neck attack, seat pull-down, or thelike are known as the personal effects, and smoke & fog, virtual fire,air bubbles, moving light, strobe, scent machine, or the like are knownas the environment effects.

Although there are cases where a thermal effect is used in a 4D theater,currently, the thermal effect merely uses a method in which thesurrounding air is heated or cooled and a fan is driven to cause theheated or cooled air to circulate so that heat is transferred. In such aconvection type heat transfer method, since it is difficult toaccurately adjust the amount of heat transferred to a user, it isdifficult to transfer heat only to a local portion of the user's body,and various steps including heating and convection have to be controlledand thus a response speed decreases, and there is a problem in thatconnection with multimedia being reproduced decreases.

DISCLOSURE Technical Problem

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a feedback deviceconfigured to provide a thermal feedback to a user and a thermalfeedback providing method using the same.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a method forcalibration of intensities of hot feedback and cold feedbackcorresponding to characteristics of a user or characteristics of thefeedback device.

It is still another aspect of the present invention to provide a methodfor calibration of an intensity of thermal grill feedback correspondingto characteristics of a user or characteristics of the feedback device.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a methodfor calibration that prevents damage to a user's body in a process forcalibration of thermal feedback.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a method ofproviding thermal feedback capable of improving compatibility between acontent reproduction device which reproduces multimedia content and afeedback device which provides thermal feedback to a user.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a method ofproviding thermal feedback for outputting thermal feedback from aplurality of feedback devices without an error even when the pluralityof feedback devices have different instruction systems.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a feedbackdevice capable of providing a thermal experience according to multimediacontent reproduced in a mobile device and a method of providing thermalfeedback using the same.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a feedbackdevice capable of improving user immersion into content by mounting amobile device and linking multimedia content reproduced in the mobiledevice and thermal feedback to each other and a method of providingthermal feedback using the same.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a specialeffect control system and a special effect chair capable of providing athermal experience to a user by outputting thermal feedback whilereproducing multimedia content.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide, whilescreening multimedia content in a 4D theater or a theater providingspecial effects, direct thermal feedback including coldness, hotness, ora sensation of pain to a user in real time using a method of conductiondue to contact between the user and a thermoelectric element at a timepoint at which a special effect is necessary in sync with the multimediacontent being screened.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to maintain a highlevel of thermal feedback sensitivity and safely provide thermalfeedback by effectively dissipating waste heat generated according toprovision of thermal feedback to outside of a special effect providingdevice.

The technical problem of the present invention is not limited to theaforementioned problems, and other problems which are not mentioned herecan be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the followingdescription and the accompanying drawings.

Technical Solution

According to an aspect of the present invention, a method forcalibration of an intensity of a thermal feedback of a feedback devicetransferring the thermal feedback to a user by using a heat outputmodule performing a thermoelectric operation including an exothermicoperation or an endothermic operation, the method may comprise:outputting the thermal feedback in order from a weak intensity to astrong intensity among a plurality of intensities of the thermalfeedback; obtaining a first user input indicating user recognition forthe thermal feedback; setting an intensity of the thermal feedbackoutputted at the time of the obtaining the first user input to a lowestintensity of the thermal feedback; when the thermal feedback isoutputted at a certain intensity among the plurality of intensitiesafter obtaining the first user input, obtaining a second user input;setting an intensity of the thermal feedback outputted at the time ofthe obtaining the second user input to a highest intensity of thethermal feedback; setting at least one intermediate intensity for thethermal feedback between the lowest intensity and the highest intensity;and outputting the thermal feedback by using the lowest intensity, thehighest intensity and the at least one intermediate intensity.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method for calibration of thermal feedback of a feedback devicetransferring the thermal feedback to a user by using a heat outputmodule performing a thermoelectric operation including an exothermicoperation, an endothermic operation, or a combination thereof, themethod including obtaining intensity information on hot feedback outputas the exothermic operation is performed, obtaining intensityinformation on cold feedback output as the endothermic operation isperformed, and setting an intensity of thermal grill feedback performedaccording to the combination of the exothermic operation and theendothermic operation by using the intensity information on the hotfeedback and the intensity information on cold feedback.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of controlling a control unit providing thermal feedbackcontrol data to a feedback device outputting thermal feedback bytransferring heat, which is generated by a thermoelectric operationincluding at least one of an exothermic operation and an endothermicoperation of a thermoelectric element which has received power, to auser through a contact surface contacting a body part of the user, themethod including: when a thermal event that causes the thermal feedbackoccurs in an application providing a thermal experience through thermalfeedback, obtaining thermal feedback data including information on atleast one of a type, an intensity, and an output region of the thermalfeedback caused by the thermal event; obtaining the thermal feedbackcontrol data configured in a format understandable by the feedbackdevice based on the thermal feedback data; and providing the thermalfeedback control data to the feedback device so that the feedback deviceoutputs the thermal feedback according to the information on at leastone of the type, the intensity, and the output region of the thermalfeedback included in the thermal feedback data.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda feedback device for providing a thermal experience corresponding to athermal event to a user when multimedia content including the thermalevent is driven in a mobile device, the feedback device including: acasing including a mounting portion mounting the mobile device and abody portion providing a grip portion gripped by the user; acommunication module performing communication with the mobile device; aheat output module including a contact surface disposed at the gripportion to provide thermal feedback corresponding to the thermal eventto a hand of the user and a thermoelectric element performing athermoelectric operation for the thermal feedback, the heat outputmodule outputting the thermal feedback by transferring heat generated bythe thermoelectric operation to the user through the contact surface;and a feedback controller configured to control the communication moduleand the heat output module, wherein, when the thermal event occursduring the driving of the multimedia content in the mobile devicemounted by the mounting portion, the feedback controller receives athermal feedback signal for output of the thermal feedback from themobile device and applies power for the thermoelectric operation of thethermoelectric element to the heat output module so that the thermalfeedback according to the thermal feedback signal is output.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda special effect chair providing thermal feedback to a user by beinglinked to reproduction of multimedia content, the special effect chairincluding: a communication unit receiving thermal feedback data; aseating portion sittable for a user; a heat output module including athermoelectric element generating heat by a thermoelectric operation anda power terminal applying power to the thermoelectric element; a contactportion transferring heat generated by the thermoelectric element to aportion of the user's body using a heat conduction method by contactingthe portion of the user's body and touching the thermoelectric element;a heat dissipation module for dissipating waste heat generated in thespecial effect chair, wherein the waste heat is different from thethermal feedback provided to the user; and a controller controllingoperations of the heat output module and the heat dissipation module sothat the thermal feedback is provided on the basis of the thermalfeedback data.

Technical solutions of the present invention are not limited to theaforementioned solutions, and other solutions which are not mentionedhere can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a thermalfeedback to a user.

Further, according to the present invention, by providing thermal painusing warmth and coldness, a sensation of pain as well as warmth can beprovided.

Further, according to the present invention, by outputting hot feedback,cold feedback, and thermal grill feedback having an intensity suitablefor characteristics of a user or characteristics of a feedback device, auser experience can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, by preventing damage due tothermal feedback to user's skin, user safety can be guaranteed.

Further, according to the present invention, compatibility between acontent reproduction device which reproduces multimedia content and afeedback device which provides thermal feedback to a user can beimproved.

Further, according to the present invention, thermal feedback can beoutput from a plurality of feedback devices without an error even whenthe plurality of feedback devices have different instruction systems.

Further, according to the present invention, a thermal experience can beprovided as one user experience with multimedia content.

Further, according to the present invention, in reproducing multimediacontent, by linking a thermal experience to visual and auditoryexperiences or outputting thermal feedback in a form suitable for asituation presented to a user by the multimedia content, immersion intothe multimedia content can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, since a mobile device ismounted on a feedback device, since a thermal event of multimediacontent provided by the mobile device is changed according to movementof the feedback device, and since thermal feedback corresponding to thechanged thermal event is output, immersion into multimedia content canbe improved.

Further, according to the present invention, by outputting thermalfeedback while reproducing multimedia content in a 4D theater, a thermalexperience can be provided to a user.

Further, according to the present invention, by improving connectionbetween visual and auditory outputs of multimedia content and thermalfeedback, user immersion into the content can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, by transferring heat usinga method in which a thermoelectric element comes into contact with auser's body, thermal feedback can be precisely controlled.

Further, according to the present invention, by effectively dissipatingwaste heat, feedback sensitivity can be maintained to a predeterminedlevel and a user can be protected from an accident that may occur due toaccumulated waste heat.

Advantageous effects of the invention are not limited to theaforementioned effects, and other advantageous effects which are notmentioned here will be clearly understood by those skilled in the artfrom the following description and the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a thermalexperience providing system 1000 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a content reproduction device 1200according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an audiovisualdevice 1400 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a feedback device1600 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a heat outputmodule 1640 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an aspect of the heat output module 1640according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another aspect of the heat output module1640 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing still another aspect of the heat outputmodule 1640 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing yet another aspect of the heat output module1640 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an exothermic operation for providing a hotfeedback according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing the intensity of a hot feedback according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an exothermic operation for providing acold feedback according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing the intensity of a cold feedback according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing the intensity of a hot/cold feedback usingvoltage adjustment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing adjustment of the intensity of a hot/coldfeedback through operation control for each thermoelectric couple group1644 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a graph showing adjustment of the intensity of a hot/coldfeedback through power application timing control according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a voltage adjustment-based thermal grilloperation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a table regarding a voltage for providing a neutral thermalgrill feedback through voltage adjustment according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 19 is a view related to a thermal grill operation using a regionadjustment method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a view illustrating a thermoelectric couple array (1640)formed of thermoelectric couple groups (1644) having different areas fora thermal adjustment method according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 21 is a view related to an example of a thermal grill operationusing a time division method according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 22 is a view related to another example of a thermal grilloperation using the time division method according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 23 is a view related to an example of a thermal grill operationusing a method in which region adjustment and time division are combinedaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a view related to another example of a thermal grilloperation using the method in which region adjustment and time divisionare combined according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a view related to still another example of a thermal grilloperation using the method in which region adjustment and time divisionare combined according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram showing an example electric signal for aheat transfer operation according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the heat transfer operation of FIG. 26according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram showing another example electric signalfor the heat transfer operation according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing the heat transfer operation of FIG. 28according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram showing yet another example electricsignal for the heat transfer operation according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a heat transfer operation according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram showing yet another example electricsignal for the heat transfer operation according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing the heat transfer operation of FIG. 32according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart related to a method for calibration of anintensity of thermal feedback according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart related to a method for calibration ofintensities of hot feedback and cold feedback according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIGS. 36A and 36B are graphs related to a lowest intensity setting ofhot feedback and cold feedback according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 37A and 37B are graphs related to a highest intensity setting ofhot feedback and cold feedback according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 38A and 38B are graphs related to an intermediate intensitysetting of hot feedback and cold feedback according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart related to a method for calibration of anintensity of thermal grill feedback according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 40 is a table related to voltages for providing thermal grillfeedback based on neutral ratios according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 41 is a table related to voltages for providing thermal grillfeedback based on reference intensities according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 42 is a table related to voltages for providing thermal grillfeedback based on final intensities according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 43 is a table related to voltages for providing thermal grillfeedback based on specific intensities according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 44 is a table related to voltages for providing thermal grillfeedback based on neutral ratios and application times of the voltageaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 45 is a table related to voltages for providing thermal grillfeedback based on reference intensities according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 46 is a table related to voltages for providing thermal grillfeedback based on specific intensities according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 47 is a flowchart related to a method of checking a result ofintensity calibration according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 48 is a flowchart related to a method for calibration of regions ofthermal feedback according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 49 is a table for describing settings of identical thermoelectricfeedback output regions according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 50 is a table for describing settings of inactive regions accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart related to a method for time calibration ofthermal feedback according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 52A and 52B are a view for describing calculation of a correctiontime according to an embodiment.

FIG. 53 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a thermalfeedback control system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 54 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a thermalfeedback data output unit according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 55 and 56 are views for describing thermal feedback informationaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 57 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a heat outputunit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 58 and 59A-59D are views for describing packet structures ofthermal feedback control data according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 60 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a control unitaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 61 is a flowchart related to a thermal feedback control dataproviding operation of the control unit according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 62 is a flowchart for describing the provision of thermal feedbackcontrol data by the control unit when separate control is indicated fora plurality of output regions in thermal feedback data according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 63 is a flowchart for describing the provision of thermal feedbackcontrol data by the control unit when collective control for an outputregion is indicated in thermal feedback data according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 64 is a flowchart for describing the provision of thermal feedbackcontrol data by the control unit when a heat transfer operation isindicated in thermal feedback data according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 65 is a flowchart for describing the provision of thermal feedbackcontrol data by the control unit when thermal feedback providing time isindicated in thermal feedback data according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 66 is a flowchart for describing the provision of thermal feedbackcontrol data by the control unit when control is indicated for aplurality of feedback devices in thermal feedback data according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 67 is a flowchart related to a method of providing a thermalexperience according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 68 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a thermalexperience provision system according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 69 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a mobile deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 70 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a feedbackdevice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 71 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a feedbackdevice according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 72 is a schematic diagram of a first implementation of the feedbackdevice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 73 is a schematic diagram of a second implementation of thefeedback device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 74 is a schematic diagram of a third implementation of the feedbackdevice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 75 is a schematic diagram of a fourth implementation of thefeedback device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 76 is a schematic diagram of a fifth implementation of the feedbackdevice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 77 is a schematic diagram of a sixth implementation of the feedbackdevice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 78A and 78B are a schematic diagram of a seventh implementation ofthe feedback device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 79A and 79B are a schematic diagram of an eighth implementation ofthe feedback device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 80 is a block diagram related to a configuration of the feedbackdevice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 81 is a view for describing arrangement of a contact surfaceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 82 is a view related to a form of a heat output module according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 83 is a view related to another form of the heat output moduleaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 84 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a feedbackdevice according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 85 and 85A-85D are schematic diagrams of an implementation of aheat dissipation member according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 86 is a basic flowchart of a method of providing a thermalexperience according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 87 is a flowchart related to a method of outputting thermalfeedback according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 88A-88C are views for describing a method of providing a thermalexperience using an augmented reality (AR) technology.

FIGS. 89A-89C are views for describing a method of providing a thermalexperience using an object recognition technology.

FIG. 90 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a specialeffect control system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 91 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a centralcontrol device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 92 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a specialeffect chair according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 93 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a heat outputmodule according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 94 is a schematic diagram of the heat output module according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 95 illustrates configurations of a contact portion and the heatoutput module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 96A-96D are schematic diagrams of the contact portion according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 97A-97D are schematic diagrams of a heat dissipation moduleaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 98A and 98B are timing diagrams of thermal feedback correspondingto a thermal event according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 99 is a flowchart related to a method of controlling thermalfeedback according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 100 is a ladder flowchart related to a method of providing thermalfeedback in the special effect control system according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 101 is a ladder flowchart related to a method of providing thermalfeedback in the special effect control system according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 102 is a schematic diagram of a user input unit according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 103 is a flowchart of a method of correcting an intensity ofthermal feedback according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 104 is a flowchart related to a method of controlling a heatdissipating operation according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 105 is a flowchart related to a method of obtaining a heatdissipation request message according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 106 is a flowchart related to a method of obtaining a heatdissipation request message according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 107 is a graph related to a reference temperature value related tothe obtaining of the heat dissipation request message according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 108 is a flowchart related to a method of obtaining a heatdissipation permission message according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 109 is a flowchart related to a method of obtaining a heatdissipation permission message according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the above aspects, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, there is provided a method for calibration of an intensity ofa thermal feedback of a feedback device transferring the thermalfeedback to a user by using a heat output module performing athermoelectric operation including an exothermic operation or anendothermic operation, the method may comprise: outputting the thermalfeedback in order from a weak intensity to a strong intensity among aplurality of intensities of the thermal feedback; obtaining a first userinput indicating user recognition for the thermal feedback; setting anintensity of the thermal feedback outputted at the time of the obtainingthe first user input to a lowest intensity of the thermal feedback; whenthe thermal feedback is outputted at a certain intensity among theplurality of intensities after obtaining the first user input, obtaininga second user input; setting an intensity of the thermal feedbackoutputted at the time of the obtaining the second user input to ahighest intensity of the thermal feedback; setting at least oneintermediate intensity for the thermal feedback between the lowestintensity and the highest intensity; and outputting the thermal feedbackby using the lowest intensity, the highest intensity and the at leastone intermediate intensity.

MODES OF THE INVENTION

Because embodiments described herein are for clearly describing thespirit of the present invention to one of ordinary skill in the art towhich the present invention pertains, the present invention is notlimited by the embodiments described herein, and the scope of thepresent invention should be construed as including modifications that donot depart from the spirit of the present invention.

Terms used herein are currently widely used general terms that areselected in consideration of functions in the present invention, but theterms may vary depending on an intention, and practice of one ofordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains or theadvent of new technology. However, to the contrary, when a specific termis arbitrarily defined and used, a definition of the term will beseparately given. Consequently, the terms used herein should beinterpreted on the basis of substantial meanings thereof and entirecontent herein instead of being interpreted simply on the basis of thenames of the terms.

The accompanying drawings are for facilitating description of thepresent invention. Because shapes illustrated in the drawings may beexaggerated as necessary to assist in understanding the presentinvention, the present invention is not limited by the drawings.

When detailed descriptions of known configurations or functions relatedto the present invention are deemed as having the possibility ofblurring the gist of the present invention, the detailed descriptionsthereof will be omitted as necessary.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a method forcalibration of an intensity of a thermal feedback of a feedback devicetransferring the thermal feedback to a user by using a heat outputmodule performing a thermoelectric operation including an exothermicoperation or an endothermic operation, the method may comprise:outputting the thermal feedback in order from a weak intensity to astrong intensity among a plurality of intensities of the thermalfeedback; obtaining a first user input indicating user recognition forthe thermal feedback; setting an intensity of the thermal feedbackoutputted at the time of the obtaining the first user input to a lowestintensity of the thermal feedback; when the thermal feedback isoutputted at a certain intensity among the plurality of intensitiesafter obtaining the first user input, obtaining a second user input;setting an intensity of the thermal feedback outputted at the time ofthe obtaining the second user input to a highest intensity of thethermal feedback; setting at least one intermediate intensity for thethermal feedback between the lowest intensity and the highest intensity;and outputting the thermal feedback by using the lowest intensity, thehighest intensity and the at least one intermediate intensity.

Herein, when the thermal feedback is a hot feedback according to theexothermic operation, a temperature of a contact surface of the heatoutput module at the time of outputting the hot feedback may be lowerthan a critical temperature set for user's body protection, and atemperature of the contact surface at the time of outputting the hotfeedback of the highest intensity may be lower than the criticaltemperature.

Herein, when the thermal feedback is a cold feedback according to theendothermic operation, a temperature of a contact surface of the heatoutput module at the time of outputting the cold feedback may be higherthan a critical temperature set for user's body protection, and atemperature of the contact surface at the time of outputting the coldfeedback of the highest intensity may be higher than the criticaltemperature.

Herein, the method may further comprise: stopping an output of thethermal feedback after the first user input is obtained; and outputtingthe thermal feedback at an intensity stronger than an intensity of thethermal feedback outputted at the time of obtaining the first user inputafter a predetermined time after an output of the thermal feedback isstopped.

Herein, the method may further comprise: outputting the thermal feedbacksuccessively at an intensity stronger than an intensity of the thermalfeedback outputted at the time of obtaining the first user input afterthe first user input is obtained.

Herein, the method may further comprise: stopping an output of thethermal feedback when the second user input is obtained.

Herein, the setting at least one intermediate intensity may becomprising: calculating at least one interpolated voltage value byinterpolating a first voltage value applied from the heat output moduleat the time of outputting the thermal feedback of the lowest intensityand a second voltage value applied from the heat output module at thetime of outputting the thermal feedback of the highest intensity; andsetting an intensity corresponding to each of the at least oneinterpolated voltage value to the at least one intermediate intensity.

Herein, the setting at least one intermediate intensity may becomprising: calculating at least one interpolated temperature byinterpolating a first temperature at a contact surface of the heatoutput module at the time of outputting the thermal feedback of thelowest intensity and a second temperature at a contact surface of theheat output module at the time of outputting the thermal feedback of thehighest intensity; and setting an intensity corresponding to each of theat least one interpolated temperature to the at least one intermediateintensity.

Herein, the setting at least one intermediate intensity may becomprising: setting a preset intensity to the at least one intermediateintensity, and wherein a voltage value applied from the heat outputmodule or a temperature at a contact surface of the heat output moduleat the time of outputting the thermal feedback of the at least oneintermediate intensity may be greater than a first voltage value appliedfrom the heat output module at the time of outputting the thermalfeedback of the lowest intensity, or higher than a first temperature ata contact surface of the heat output module at the time of outputtingthe thermal feedback of the lowest intensity, and less than a secondvoltage value applied from the heat output module at the time ofoutputting the thermal feedback of the highest intensity, or lower thana second temperature at a contact surface of the heat output module atthe time of outputting the thermal feedback of the highest intensity.

Herein, the number of the at least one intermediate intensity may bedetermined according to the number of the plurality of intensities.

Herein, the first user input and the second user input may be obtainedby a user input module, and the user input module may include one of abutton or a pressure sensor.

Herein, the outputting the thermal feedback by using the lowestintensity, the highest intensity and the at least one intermediateintensity may be comprising: checking whether the thermal feedback ofthe lowest intensity, the highest intensity and the at least oneintermediate intensity are distinguished or not; and outputting thethermal feedback by using the lowest intensity, the highest intensityand the at least one intermediate intensity when the thermal feedback ofthe lowest intensity, the highest intensity and the at least oneintermediate intensity are distinguished.

Herein, the method may further comprise: providing at least one of avideo signal or an audio signal related to the calibration to anaudiovisual device to obtain the first user input and the second userinput from the user.

Herein, the feedback device may comprise: a plurality of thermoelectriccouple groups performing a thermoelectric operation for the thermalfeedback, wherein power is individually applied to each of the pluralityof thermoelectric couple groups so that the plurality of thermoelectriccouple groups are individually controlled; and a contact surfacetransferring heat generated by individual thermoelectric operation ineach of the plurality of thermoelectric couple groups to the user bycontacting the user's body, and the outputting the thermal feedback byusing the lowest intensity, the highest intensity and the at least oneintermediate intensity may be comprising: applying power to each of theplurality of thermoelectric couple groups to output a thermal feedbackat an intensity of one of the lowest intensity, the highest intensityand the at least one of intermediate intensity; obtaining a third userinput indicating an inactive thermoelectric couple group which does notoutput the thermal feedback among the plurality of thermoelectric couplegroups; and not applying the power to the inactive thermoelectric couplegroup so that the thermal feedback is not outputted from the inactivethermoelectric couple group indicated by the third user input.

Herein, the feedback device may comprise: a thermoelectric elementperforming a thermoelectric operation for the thermal feedback, whereinpower is applied to the thermoelectric element for the thermoelectricoperation; and a contact surface transferring heat generated by athermoelectric operation to the user by contacting the user's body, andwherein a thermal experience is provided to a user in reproducing amultimedia content including a video data related to a video and athermal feedback data related to a thermal feedback interlocked with aspecific scene of the video, and wherein the outputting the thermalfeedback by using the lowest intensity, the highest intensity and the atleast one intermediate intensity may be comprising: applying power tothe thermoelectric element at a predetermined time point to output thethermal feedback at an intensity of one of the lowest intensity, highestintensity and the at least one of intermediate intensity; obtaining afourth user input indicating an experiencing time point, which is a timepoint at which the contact surface reaches a temperature experienced bythe user and thus the user experiences the thermal feedback; calculatinga correction time indicating a time required from the start of thethermoelectric operation until the contact surface reaches a temperatureexperienced by the user by using the predetermined time point and theexperiencing time point; and applying the power to the thermoelectricelement when a thermoelectric operation start time point set at a timepoint preceding an output time point of the specific scene is reached byconsidering the correction time so that the specific scene and thethermal feedback are interlocked and provided to the user at an outputtime point of the specific scene.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a feedback devicetransferring a thermal feedback to a user by using a heat output moduleperforming a thermoelectric operation including an exothermic operationor an endothermic operation, the feedback device may comprise: athermoelectric element performing a thermoelectric operation for thethermal feedback; and a feedback controller controlling thethermoelectric element, and wherein the feedback controller may outputthe thermal feedback in order from a weak intensity to a strongintensity among a plurality of intensities of the thermal feedback byapplying power to the thermoelectric element, obtain a first user inputindicating user recognition for the thermal feedback, and set anintensity of the thermal feedback outputted at the time of obtaining thefirst user input to a lowest intensity of the thermal feedback, when thethermal feedback is outputted to a certain intensity among the pluralityof intensities after obtaining the first user input, obtain a seconduser input, and set an intensity of the thermal feedback outputted atthe time of obtaining the second user input to a highest intensity ofthe thermal feedback, and set at least one intermediate intensity forthe thermal feedback between the lowest intensity and the highestintensity, and apply power to the thermoelectric element to output thethermal feedback by using the lowest intensity, the highest intensityand the at least one intermediate intensity.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a thermalexperience providing system, the system may comprise: a feedback devicetransferring a thermal feedback to a user by using a heat output moduleperforming a thermoelectric operation including an exothermic operationor an endothermic operation; and an audiovisual device outputting videoor audio using a video signal or an audio signal from the feedbackdevice, wherein the feedback device may output the thermal feedback inorder from a weak intensity to a strong intensity among a plurality ofintensities of the thermal feedback, obtain a first user inputindicating user recognition for the thermal feedback, and set anintensity of the thermal feedback outputted at the time of the obtainingthe first user input to a lowest intensity of the thermal feedback,wherein the feedback device provides a video signal or an audio signalrelated to an output of the thermal feedback to the audiovisual deviceso that the first user input is obtained from the user, obtain a seconduser input when the thermal feedback is outputted at a certain intensityamong the plurality of intensities after obtaining the first user input,and set an intensity of the thermal feedback outputted at the time ofthe obtaining the second user input to a highest intensity of thethermal feedback, wherein the feedback device provides a video signal oran audio signal related to an output of a thermal feedback outputtedafter the audiovisual device obtains the first user input to theaudiovisual device so that the second user input is obtained from theuser, and set at least one intermediate intensity for the thermalfeedback between the lowest intensity and the highest intensity, andoutput the thermal feedback by using the lowest intensity, the highestintensity and the at least one intermediate intensity.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method for calibration of thermal feedback in a feedback devicetransferring the thermal feedback to a user by using a heat outputmodule performing a thermoelectric operation including an exothermicoperation, an endothermic operation, or a combination thereof, themethod including: obtaining intensity information on hot feedback outputas the exothermic operation is performed; obtaining intensityinformation on cold feedback output as the endothermic operation isperformed; and setting an intensity of thermal grill feedback performedaccording to the combination of the exothermic operation and theendothermic operation by using the intensity information on the hotfeedback and the intensity information on cold feedback.

Here, the setting of the intensity of the thermal grill feedback mayinclude: setting a neutral ratio indicating a ratio between hotnessaccording to the exothermic operation and coldness according to theendothermic operation by using the intensity information on the hotfeedback and the intensity information on the cold feedback and settingan intensity of the thermal feedback on the basis of the set neutralratio.

Here, the setting of the neutral ratio may include: applying theintensity information on the hot feedback and the intensity informationon the cold feedback to a plurality of preset neutral ratios; outputtingthe thermal grill feedback according to the plurality of preset neutralratios; obtaining a first user input indicating user recognition for thethermal grill feedback; and setting, among the plurality of presetneutral ratios, a neutral ratio output at the time of the obtaining ofthe first user input as the neutral ratio of the thermal feedback.

Here, the applying of the intensity information on the hot feedback andthe intensity information on the cold feedback to the preset neutralratios may include applying an intensity lower than an intensity of thecold feedback applied to the preset neutral ratios as an intensity ofthe hot feedback applied to the preset neutral ratios.

Here, the applying of the intensity information on the hot feedback andthe intensity information on the cold feedback to the preset neutralratios may include applying an intensity equal to an intensity of thecold feedback applied to the preset neutral ratios as an intensity ofthe hot feedback applied to the preset neutral ratios, wherein a ratiobetween a region in which the hot feedback is output and a region inwhich the cold feedback is output is adjusted to be different for eachof the preset neutral ratios.

Here, the applying of the intensity information on the hot feedback andthe intensity information on the cold feedback to the preset neutralratios may include applying an intensity equal to an intensity of thecold feedback applied to the preset neutral ratios as an intensity ofthe hot feedback applied to the preset neutral ratios, wherein a time atwhich the hot feedback is output and a time at which the cold feedbackis output are adjusted to be different for each of the preset neutralratios.

Here, the setting of the intensity of the thermal grill feedback mayinclude setting a plurality of reference intensities on the basis of thepreset neutral ratios and setting final intensities of the thermalfeedback on the basis of the set plurality of reference intensities.

Here, the setting of the intensity of the thermal feedback on the basisof the set plurality of reference intensities may include: outputtingthe thermal grill feedback in order from a weak intensity to a strongintensity among the set plurality of reference intensities; obtaining asecond user input indicating user recognition for the thermal grillfeedback; setting a reference intensity of the thermal grill feedbackoutput at the time of the second user input to a lowest intensity amongthe final intensities of the thermal grill feedback; when the thermalgrill feedback is output at a certain intensity among the referenceintensities after the obtaining of the second user input, obtaining athird user input indicating a strongest reference intensity acceptableby the user; setting an intensity of the thermal grill feedback outputat the time of the obtaining of the third user input to a highestintensity among the final intensities of the thermal grill feedback; andsetting at least one intermediate intensity for the thermal grillfeedback between the lowest intensity and the highest intensity.

Here, the plurality of reference intensities may be lower than acritical intensity of the thermal grill feedback set for the user's bodyprotection.

Here, the at least one intermediate intensity may indicate, among thereference intensities, a reference intensity between a referenceintensity corresponding to the lowest intensity and a referenceintensity corresponding to the highest intensity.

Here, when, among the reference intensities, a reference intensitybetween the reference intensity corresponding to the lowest intensityand the reference intensity corresponding to the highest intensity doesnot exist, the at least one intermediate intensity may not be set.

Here, the setting of the intensity of the thermal feedback on the basisof the set plurality of reference intensities may include when thethermal grill feedback is output at a certain intensity among thereference intensities prior to the obtaining of the third user inputafter the obtaining of the second user input, obtaining at least onefourth user input and setting an intensity of the thermal grill feedbackoutput at the time of the obtaining of the at least one fourth userinput to the at least one intermediate intensity among the finalintensities of the thermal grill feedback.

Here, the setting of the intensity of the thermal feedback on the basisof the set plurality of reference intensities may include: setting aplurality of specific intensities for at least one reference intensityamong the set plurality of reference intensities, wherein the pluralityof specific intensities refer to reference intensities when atemperature output by thermal grill feedback at the at least onereference intensity or a voltage value applied to a thermoelectriccouple group of the heat output module performing the thermoelectricoperation for the thermal grill feedback at the at least one referenceintensity is changed; outputting thermal grill feedback at the pluralityof specific intensities; obtaining a fifth user input indicating userrecognition for the thermal grill feedback; and setting specificintensities of the thermal grill feedback output at the time of thefifth user input as the final intensities of the thermal grill feedback.

Here, the setting of the specific intensities of the thermal grillfeedback output at the time of the fifth user input as the finalintensities of the thermal grill feedback may include: when at least onepiece of reference information is the lowest intensity based on thesecond user input, setting a specific intensity of the thermal grillfeedback output at the time of the fifth user input to the lowestintensity among the final intensities.

Here, the setting of the specific intensities of the thermal grillfeedback output at the time of the fifth user input as the finalintensities of the thermal grill feedback may include: when at least onepiece of reference information is the highest intensity based on thethird user input, setting a specific intensity of the thermal grillfeedback output at the time of the fifth user input to the highestintensity among the final intensities.

Here, the setting of the specific intensities of the thermal grillfeedback output at the time of the fifth user input as the finalintensities of the thermal grill feedback may include: when at least onepiece of reference information is at least one intermediate intensitybased on the fourth user input, setting a specific intensity of thethermal grill feedback output at the time of the fifth user input to theat least one intermediate intensity among the final intensities.

Here, the setting of the intensity of the thermal feedback on the basisof the set plurality of reference intensities may include: checkingwhether thermal grill feedback of the lowest intensity, thermal grillfeedback of the highest intensity, and thermal grill feedback of the atleast one intermediate intensity are distinguished; and when the thermalgrill feedback of the lowest intensity, the thermal grill feedback ofthe highest intensity, and the thermal grill feedback of the at leastone intermediate intensity are distinguished, maintaining settings ofthe lowest intensity, the highest intensity, and the at least oneintermediate intensity.

Here, the first user input may be obtained by a user input module, andthe user input module may include one of a button or a pressure sensor.

Here, the method for calibration of the intensity of the thermalfeedback may further include providing at least one of a video signal oran audio signal related to the calibration of the thermal feedback to anaudiovisual device to obtain the first user input from the user.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda feedback device transferring thermal feedback to a user by using aheat output module performing a thermoelectric operation including anexothermic operation, an endothermic operation, or a combinationthereof, wherein the feedback device obtains intensity information onhot feedback output as the exothermic operation is performed, obtainsintensity information on cold feedback output as the endothermicoperation is performed, and sets an intensity of thermal grill feedbackperformed according to the combination of the exothermic operation andthe endothermic operation by using the intensity information on the hotfeedback and the intensity information on cold feedback.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda feedback device providing a thermal experience corresponding to athermal event to a user when multimedia content including the thermalevent is driven in a mobile device, the feedback device including: acasing including a mounting portion mounting the mobile device and abody portion providing a grip portion gripped by the user; acommunication module performing communication with the mobile device; aheat output module including a contact surface disposed at the gripportion to provide thermal feedback corresponding to the thermal eventto a hand of the user and a thermoelectric element performing athermoelectric operation for the thermal feedback, the heat outputmodule outputting the thermal feedback by transferring heat generated bythe thermoelectric operation to the user through the contact surface;and a feedback controller configured to control the communication moduleand the heat output module, wherein, when the thermal event occursduring the driving of the multimedia content in the mobile devicemounted by the mounting portion, the feedback controller receives athermal feedback signal for output of the thermal feedback from themobile device and applies power for the thermoelectric operation of thethermoelectric element to the heat output module so that the thermalfeedback according to the thermal feedback signal is output.

Here, when the thermal event changes according to movement of the mobiledevice, movement of the mobile device and movement of the feedbackdevice may be interlocked with each other by the mounting portion sothat at least one of a type and an intensity of the thermal feedback ischanged according to the movement of the feedback device.

Here, the mounting portion may include a pressure member mounting themobile device by applying pressure to at least one surface of the mobiledevice.

Here, the mounting portion may include a magnetic member for couplingthe mobile device to the feedback device by using a magnetic force.

Here, the body portion may be formed in the shape of a stick extendingin one direction, wherein one end surface of the stick-shaped bodyportion is connected to the mounting portion, and the grip portion isprovided in one region of the stick-shaped body portion.

Here, the body portion may be formed in the shape of a pad to be grippedby both hands of the user, wherein the grip portion may be provided intwo spaced-apart regions of the pad-shaped body portion, and the contactsurface is formed at each of the grip portions provided in the twospaced-apart regions.

Here, the body portion may be formed in the shape of a handle, whereinthe body portion includes a ring member, the grip portion may beprovided in at least two regions of the ring member, and the contactsurface is formed at the grip portions provided at the ring member.

Here, the body portion may be formed in the shape of a gun, wherein oneend surface of the gun-shaped body portion may be connected to themounting portion, and the contact surface may be formed in a handleregion of the gun-shaped body portion.

Here, the body portion may be formed in the shape of a case forprotecting the mobile device from an external force, wherein themounting portion may include an accommodating member formed at an innersurface of the body portion to accommodate the mobile device, and thecontact surface may be formed in at least one region of a side surfaceof the body portion or in at least one region of a rear surface of thebody portion.

Here, when the mobile device is disposed within a predetermined distancefrom the feedback controller, the feedback controller may control thecommunication module so that a communication channel with the mobiledevice is established.

Here, when the mobile device is disposed within a predetermined distancefrom the feedback controller, the feedback controller may transmit arequest signal for turning off a vibration output of the mobile deviceto the mobile device through the communication module.

Here, the feedback device may further include a power module forsupplying power required for operation of the feedback device, whereinthe power module may receive power required for the operation of thefeedback device from the mobile device or an external device other thanthe mobile device and stores the received power.

Here, the thermoelectric element may include a first thermoelectriccouple group and a second thermoelectric couple group, and the contactsurface may include a first contact surface corresponding to the firstthermoelectric couple group and a second contact surface correspondingto the second thermoelectric couple group, wherein the feedbackcontroller may provide pieces of thermal feedback of different types orintensities through the first contact surface and the second contactsurface by separately controlling the first thermoelectric couple groupand the second thermoelectric couple group.

Here, the feedback device may further include a heat dissipation memberdissipating waste heat, which means remaining heat except for heat forproviding the thermal feedback from the heat generated by thethermoelectric element, to an outside of the feedback device.

Here, the feedback device may further include a heat transfer membertransferring the waste heat from the thermoelectric element to the heatdissipation member.

Here, the heat dissipation member may include a cavity portion includingat least one hollow formed in at least one region of the body portion,wherein the waste heat may be dissipated to an outside of the bodyportion through the cavity portion.

Here, the heat dissipation member may include a heat dissipation findisposed on the cavity portion, wherein the waste heat may be dissipatedfrom the heat dissipation fin to the outside of the body portion throughthe cavity portion.

Here, the heat dissipation member may include a heat dissipation sheetdisposed in at least a partial region inside the body portion, whereinthe waste heat may be dissipated from the heat dissipation sheet to theoutside of the body portion via the body portion.

Here, the heat dissipation member may include a heat dissipation fancirculating air inside the body portion, wherein the waste heat may bedissipated to the outside of the body portion according to circulationof air by the heat dissipation fan.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda thermal experience providing system including: a mobile deviceincluding a memory storing data, a camera capturing an object, and acontroller obtaining multimedia content including a thermal event fromthe memory and reproducing the obtained multimedia content; and afeedback device including a casing including a mounting portion mountingthe mobile device and a body portion providing a grip portion gripped bya user, and a heat output module including a contact surface disposed atthe grip portion to provide thermal feedback corresponding to thethermal event to a hand of the user and a thermoelectric elementperforming a thermoelectric operation for the thermal feedback, the heatoutput module outputting the thermal feedback by transferring heatgenerated by the thermoelectric operation to the user through thecontact surface; and a feedback controller configured to control theheat output module, wherein the controller generates a virtual objectrelated to the captured object, obtains thermal feedback information onthe basis of properties of the virtual object, and provides a thermalfeedback signal according to the thermal feedback information to thefeedback device so that the thermal feedback is output from the feedbackdevice on the basis of the thermal feedback information, and thefeedback controller applies power for the thermoelectric operation ofthe thermoelectric element to the heat output module so that the thermalfeedback according to the thermal feedback signal is output.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of providing a thermal experience by a feedback deviceincluding: a casing including a mounting portion mounting a mobiledevice and a body portion providing a grip portion gripped by a user; acommunication module performing communication with the mobile device; aheat output module including a contact surface disposed at the gripportion to provide thermal feedback corresponding to a thermal event inthe mobile device to a hand of the user and a thermoelectric elementperforming a thermoelectric operation for the thermal feedback, the heatoutput module outputting the thermal feedback by transferring heatgenerated by the thermoelectric operation to the user through thecontact surface; and a feedback controller configured to control thecommunication module and the heat output module, the method including:when the thermal event occurs during driving of multimedia content inthe mobile device mounted by the mounting portion, receiving a thermalfeedback signal for output of the thermal feedback from the mobiledevice; obtaining feedback information from the thermal feedback signal,wherein the feedback information is determined by the thermal event inthe mobile device; and generating an electrical signal for thethermoelectric operation of the thermoelectric element on the basis ofthe feedback information and applying the electrical signal to the heatoutput module so that the thermal feedback corresponding to the thermalevent is output.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided aspecial effect chair providing thermal feedback to a user by beinglinked to reproduction of multimedia content, the special effect chairincluding: a communication unit receiving thermal feedback data; aseating portion sittable for a user; a heat output module including athermoelectric element generating heat by a thermoelectric operation anda power terminal applying power to the thermoelectric element; a contactportion transferring heat generated by the thermoelectric element to aportion of the user's body using a heat conduction method by contactingthe portion of the user's body and touching the thermoelectric element;a heat dissipation module for dissipating waste heat generated in thespecial effect chair, wherein the waste heat is different from thethermal feedback provided to the user; and a controller controllingoperations of the heat output module and the heat dissipation module sothat the thermal feedback is provided on the basis of the thermalfeedback data.

Here, the thermoelectric element may include thermoelectric couplegroups, and the power terminal may be separately provided for each ofthe thermoelectric couple groups, wherein the controller may separatelycontrol power applied to the thermoelectric element for each of thethermoelectric couple groups on the basis of the thermal feedback data.

Here, the thermal feedback data may include thermal feedback typeinformation, thermal feedback intensity information, and thermalfeedback timing information.

Here, the contact portion may include one surface of the heat outputmodule.

Here, the contact portion may be disposed at one surface facing the userof the seating portion and be bent along a curve of the one surface.

Here, the seating portion may include a stick grippable by the user saton the seating portion, wherein the contact portion may be disposed onat least one surface of the stick.

Here, the seating portion may include a safety bar for preventing theuser from falling off from the seating portion due to movement of theseating portion according to a special effect, wherein the contactportion may be disposed on at least one surface of the safety bar.

Here, the seating portion may include a neck rest disposed at a portioncontacting a neck of the user sat on the seating portion, wherein thecontact portion may be disposed on at least one surface of the neckrest.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of controlling a heat dissipating operation of a special effectchair, which provides thermal feedback by using a thermoelectricelement, for dissipating waste heat generated as the special effectchair provides the thermal feedback, the method including: obtaininginformation; determining, on the basis of the obtained information,whether a necessary condition for heat dissipation is satisfied;determining, on the basis of the obtained information, whether acondition for permitting heat dissipation is satisfied; and when thenecessary condition for heat dissipation and the condition forpermitting heat dissipation are satisfied, dissipating the waste heat.

Here, the information may include information on a current time, a heatdissipation start time point, and a heat dissipation stop time point,wherein the necessary condition for heat dissipation may be a conditionin which the current time is the heat dissipation start time point orlater and before the heat dissipation stop time point.

Here, the information may include a temperature value of one portion ofthe special effect chair, wherein the necessary condition for heatdissipation may be a condition in which the temperature value is areference temperature value or higher.

Here, the reference temperature value may include a first referencetemperature value and a second reference temperature value higher thanthe first reference temperature value, wherein the necessary conditionfor heat dissipation may be a condition in which the temperature valueis the first reference temperature value or higher, and the conditionfor permitting heat dissipation may further include a condition in whichthe temperature value is the second reference temperature value orhigher.

Here, the information may include a noise value of surroundings of thespecial effect chair, wherein the condition for permitting heatdissipation may be a condition in which the noise value is a referencenoise value or higher.

Here, the information may include motion information of the specialeffect chair, wherein the condition for permitting heat dissipation maybe a condition in which the seating portion is in motion when determinedon the basis of the motion information.

Here, the motion information may include an acceleration value of thespecial effect chair, wherein the condition for permitting heatdissipation may be a condition in which the acceleration value is areference acceleration value or higher.

Here, the motion information may include information on a current time,a motion start time point, and a motion stop time point, wherein thecondition for permitting heat dissipation may be a condition in whichthe current time is the motion start time point or later and before themotion stop time point.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a special effect control system providing thermal feedback bybeing linked to reproduction of multimedia content, the special effectcontrol system including: a special effect chair including a seatingportion sittable for a user, a heat output module providing thermalfeedback to the user, a heat dissipation module dissipating waste heatgenerated from the heat output module to outside, and a controllercontrolling the heat output module and the heat dissipation module; anda central control device controlling a video output device so that thevideo output device reproduces multimedia content and connected to thespecial effect chair, which includes one or more special effect chairs,in terms of communication, wherein the central control device transmitsthermal feedback data to the special effect chair, and the controllerprovides thermal feedback on the basis of the thermal feedback data.

Here, the central control device may transmit heat dissipation data tothe special effect chair, and the controller may control the heatdissipation module on the basis of the heat dissipation data.

I. Thermal Experience Providing System and Heat Output Module

1. Thermal Experience Providing System

A thermal experience providing system 1000 according to an embodiment ofthe present invention will be described below.

1.1. Overview of Thermal Experience Providing System

A thermal experience providing system 1000 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention is a system which allows a user toexperience a thermal experience (TX). Specifically, the thermalexperience providing system 1000 may allow a user to experience athermal experience by outputting thermal feedback as a part of a formedof a representation of content when multimedia content is reproduced.

Herein, the thermal feedback is a kind of thermal stimulation whichallows a user to feel a thermal sensation by stimulating thermal sensoryorgans mainly distributed in a user's body and in the presentspecification the thermal feedback should be interpreted to include allthe thermal stimuli which stimulate a thermal sensory system of theuser.

Representative examples of the thermal feedback include hot feedback andcold feedback. The hot feedback means thermal feedback which allows auser to feel a hot sensation by applying hot heat to a hot spotdistributed on a user's skin and the cold feedback means thermalfeedback which allows a user to feel a cold sensation by applying coldheat to a cold spot distributed on a user's skin.

Herein, since the heat is a physical quantity represented by a scalarform, the expression, “applying cold heat,” or “transferring cold heat,”may not be an exact expression from a physical point of view. However,for convenience of description in the present description, a phenomenonin which heat is applied or transferred is expressed as “applying hotheat” or “transferring hot heat”, and a phenomenon opposite to thephenomenon, i.e., a phenomenon in which heat is absorbed is expressed as“applying cold heat” or “transferring cold heat”.

In addition, the thermal feedback in the present specification mayfurther include thermal grill feedback in addition to the hot feedbackand the cold feedback. When the hot heat and the cold heat are appliedat the same time, a user perceives a pain sensation instead ofindividually perceiving a hot sensation and a cold sensation. The painsensation is referred to as a so-called thermal grill illusion (TGI)(hereinafter, referred to as a “thermal pain sensation”). That is,thermal grill feedback means thermal feedback in which a combination ofhot heat and cold heat is applied, and may be provided mainly byconcurrently outputting the hot feedback and the cold feedback. Inaddition, the thermal grill feedback may be referred to as “thermal painsensation feedback” in terms of providing a sensation close to pain. Thethermal feedback will be described below in detail.

Herein, the multimedia content may include various kinds of contentincluding a video, a game, a virtual reality application, and anaugmented reality application.

In general, the multimedia content is provided to a user mainly inaccordance with an audiovisual expression form based on an image and avoice. However, in the present invention, a thermal expression based onthe above-mentioned thermal feedback may be included as an essentialexpression form.

Meanwhile, the “reproduction” of multimedia content should beinterpreted to include all operations of executing and representing themultimedia content to a user. Therefore, the term “reproduction” in thepresent specification should be interpreted to include not only anoperation of simply playing a video through a media player but also alloperations of executing a game program, a training program, a virtualreality application, an augmented reality application, and the like.

1.2. Configuration of Thermal Experience Providing System

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a thermalexperience providing system 1000 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the thermal experience providing system 1000 mayinclude a content reproduction device 1200, an audiovisual device 1400,and a feedback device 1600.

Herein, the content reproduction device 1200 may reproduce multimediacontent, the audiovisual device 1400 may output an image or voiceaccording to content reproduction, and the feedback device 1600 mayoutput a thermal feedback according to content reproduction.

For example, the content reproduction device 1200 may decode videocontent including image data, voice data, or thermal feedback data andmay deliver an image signal, a voice signal, or a thermal feedbacksignal to the audiovisual device 1400 and the feedback device 1600. Theaudiovisual device 1400 may receive an image signal and a voice signaland then output images and voice, and the feedback device 1600 mayreceive a thermal feedback signal and then output a thermal feedback.

The components of the thermal experience providing system 1000 will bedescribed below in more detail.

1.2.1. Content Reproduction Device

The content reproduction device 1200 reproduces multimedia content.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the content reproduction device 1200according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the content reproduction device 1200 may include acommunication module 1220, a memory 1240, and a controller 1260.

The communication module 1220 may communicate with an externalapparatus. The content reproduction device 1200 may transmit or receivedata to or from the audiovisual device 1400 or the feedback device 1600through the communication module 1220. For example, through thecommunication module 1220, the content reproduction device 1200 maydeliver an A/V signal to the audiovisual device 1400 or deliver athermal feedback signal to the feedback device 1600. In addition, thecontent reproduction device 1200 may access the Internet through thecommunication module 1220 and then download multimedia content.

The communication module 1220 is largely divided into a wiredcommunication module and a wireless communication module. Since thewired communication module and the wireless communication module eachhave advantages and disadvantages, the content reproduction device 1200may be provided with both of the wired communication module and thewireless communication module.

Typically, the wired communication module may use, for example, localarea network (LAN), universal serial bus (USB) communication, or otherschemes.

The wireless communication module may use a wireless personal areanetwork (WPAN)-based communication scheme such as Bluetooth or Zigbee.However, since a wireless communication protocol is not limited thereto,the wireless communication module may use a wireless local area network(WLAN)-based communication scheme such as Wi-Fi or other knowncommunication schemes.

Meanwhile, as the wired/wireless communication protocol, an independentprotocol developed by a game console manufacturer may be used.

The memory 1240 may store various kinds of information. The memory 1240may temporarily or semi-permanently store data. Examples of the memory1240 may include a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), aflash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM),etc. The memory 1240 may be built into, or detachable from, the contentreproduction device 1200.

An operating system (OS) for driving the content reproduction device1200 or various kinds of data needed for operation of the contentreproduction device 1200 in addition to content to be executed by thecontent reproduction device 1200 may be stored in the memory 1240.

In addition, values which are calibrated to output thermal feedback fromthe feedback device 1600, e.g., pieces of information on the lowestintensity of hot/cold/thermal pain feedback, the highest intensity ofhot/cold/thermal pain feedback, and an intermediate intensity of thehot/cold/thermal pain feedback, may be stored in the memory 1240. Thiswill be described below.

The controller 1260 may control overall operation of the contentreproduction device 1200. For example, the controller 1260 may load orreproduce multimedia content from the memory 1240 or may generate acontrol signal for controlling an image or voice or a thermal feedbackoutput according to content reproduction.

The controller 1260 may be implemented as a central processing unit(CPU) or the like in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. Thecontroller 1260 may be provided in the form of an electronic circuit forprocessing an electric signal to perform a control function when beingimplemented in hardware and may be provided in the form of a program orcodes for driving a hardware circuit when being implemented in software.

1.2.2. Audiovisual Device

The audiovisual device 1400 may output images and voice according tomultimedia reproduction.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the audiovisualdevice 1400 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the audiovisual device 1400 may include acommunication module 1420 and an A/V module 1440.

The communication module 1420 may communicate with an externalapparatus. The audiovisual device 1400 may transmit or receive data toor from the content reproduction device 1200 through the communicationmodule 1420. For example, the audiovisual device 1400 may receive an A/Vsignal from the content reproduction device 1200 or the feedback device1600 through the communication module 1420.

The communication module 1420 of the audiovisual device 1400 may besimilar to the communication module 1220 of the content reproductiondevice 1200, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The A/V module 1440 may provide images or voice to a user. To this end,the A/V module 1440 may include a video module 1442 and an audio module1444.

The video module 1442 may be generally provided in the form of a displayand may output an image according to an image signal received from thecontent reproduction device 1200 or the feedback device 1600. The audiomodule 1444 may be generally provided in the form of a speaker and mayoutput voice according to a voice signal received from the contentreproduction device 1200 or the feedback device 1600.

1.2.3. Feedback Device

The feedback device 1600 may output a thermal feedback according tomultimedia reproduction.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the feedback device1600 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the feedback device 1600 may include acommunication module 1620 and a heat output module 1640.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a feedbackcontroller 1648 may be either separate from or included in the heatoutput module 1640. Also, the present invention is not limited thereto,and when the feedback controller 1648 is present outside the heat outputmodule 1640, a separate feedback controller may be present inside theheat output module 1640 independently of the feedback controller 1648.In this specification, for convenience of description, it will bepresumed that the feedback controller 1648 is included in the heatoutput module 1640.

The communication module 1620 may communicate with an externalapparatus. The feedback device 1600 may transmit or receive data to orfrom the content reproduction device 1200 through the communicationmodule 1620. For example, the feedback device 1600 may receive thermalfeedback data from the content reproduction device 1200 through thecommunication module 1620. As another example, the feedback device 1600may transmit a voice signal and/or an image signal to the audiovisualdevice 1400 through the communication module 1620.

The heat output module 1640 may output a thermal feedback. The thermalfeedback may be output by the heat output module 1640, which includes acontact surface 1641 brought into contact with a user's body and athermoelectric element connected to the contact surface 1641, applyinghot heat or cold heat, which is generated in the thermoelectric elementwhen power is applied, to the user's body through the contact surface1641.

The heat output module 1640 may perform an exothermic operation,endothermic operation, or thermal grill operation according to thethermal feedback data received from the content reproduction device 1200through the communication module 1620 to output a thermal feedback, andthe user may experience a thermal experience by the output thermalfeedback.

A detailed configuration or operation scheme of the heat output module1640 will be described below in more detail.

2. Heat Output Module

The heat output module 1640 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention will be described below.

2.1. Overview of Heat Output Module

A heat output module 1640 may output thermal feedback for transferringhot heat and cold heat to a user by performing an exothermic operation,an endothermic operation, or a thermal grill operation. In a thermalexperience providing system 1000, when a feedback device 1600 receives athermal feedback signal, the heat output module 1640 mounted on thefeedback device 1600 may output thermal feedback to allow the thermalexperience providing system 1000 to provide thermal experience to auser.

In order to perform the above-described exothermic operation,endothermic operation, or thermal grill operation, the heat outputmodule 1640 may use a thermoelectric element such as a Peltier element.

The Peltier effect is a thermoelectric phenomenon discovered by JeanPeltier in 1834. According to the Peltier effect, when an electriccurrent is made to flow through a junction between dissimilar metals, anexothermic reaction occurs at one side of the junction and anendothermic reaction occurs at the other side of the junction accordingto a current direction. The Peltier element is an element which causessuch a Peltier effect. The Peltier element was originally made of ajoined body of dissimilar metals such as bismuth and antimony. However,recently, the Peltier element has been manufactured through a method ofdisposing N—P semiconductors between two metal plates so as to havehigher thermoelectric efficiency.

When a current is applied to the Peltier element, heat generation andheat absorption may instantaneously occur at both metal plates, aswitching between the heat generation and the heat absorption may bemade according to a current direction, and a degree of the heatgeneration or absorption may be relatively precisely adjusted accordingto a current amount. Thus, the Peltier element is suitable to be usedfor an exothermic operation or an endothermic operation for thermalfeedback. In particular, recently, as a flexible thermoelectric elementhas been developed, it has been possible to manufacture the flexiblethermoelectric element in a form with which a user's body easily comesinto contact therewith such that commercial availability of the flexiblethermoelectric element as the feedback device 1600 has been increasing.

Therefore, as electricity is applied to the above-describedthermoelectric element, the heat output module 1640 may perform anexothermic operation or an endothermic operation. Physically, anexothermic reaction and an endothermic reaction concurrently occur inthe thermoelectric element to which electricity is applied. However, inthe present specification, in the case of the heat output module 1640,an operation in which a surface in contact with a user's body generatesheat is defined as an exothermic operation, and an operation in whichthe surface in contact with the user's body absorbs heat is defined asan endothermic operation. For example, the thermoelectric element may bemanufactured by disposing N—P semiconductors on a substrate 1642. When acurrent is applied to the thermoelectric element, heat generation occursat one side of the thermoelectric element, and heat absorption occurs atthe other side of the thermoelectric element. When one side of thethermoelectric element facing the user's body is defined as a front sideand a side opposite to the one side is defined as a rear side, anoperation in which the heat generation occurs at the front side and anoperation in which the heat absorption occurs at the rear side may bedefined as an operation in which the heat output module 1640 performs anexothermic operation. On the contrary, an operation in which the heatabsorption occurs at the front side and the heat generation occurs atthe rear side may be defined as an operation in which the heat outputmodule 1640 performs an endothermic operation.

In addition, since a thermoelectric effect is induced by electriccharges flowing in the thermoelectric element, it is possible todescribe electricity inducing the exothermic operation or theendothermic operation of the heat output module 1640 in terms of acurrent. In the present specification, however, for convenience ofdescription, description will be made mainly in terms of a voltage. Thisis merely for convenience of description, and inventive thinking is notrequired for a person having ordinary skill in the art to which thepresent invention belongs (hereinafter referred to as “a person skilledin the art”) to interpret the exothermic operation or the endothermicoperation in terms of a current. Therefore, the present invention is notlimited to expression in terms of the voltage.

2.2. Configuration of Heat Output Module

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the heat outputmodule 1640 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the heat output module 1640 may include a contactsurface 1641, a substrate 1642, a thermoelectric couple array 1643disposed on the substrate 1642, a power terminal 1647 configured toapply power to the heat output module 1640, and a feedback controller1645.

The contact surface 1641 is directly brought into contact with theuser's body to transfer hot heat or cold heat generated in the heatoutput module 1640 to the user's skin. In other words, a portion of theouter surface of the feedback device 1600 that is directly brought intocontact with the user's body may be used as the contact surface 1641.For example, the contact surface 1641 may be formed in a grip part,which is a part of the casing of the feedback device 1600 the usergrasps.

As an example, the contact surface 1641 may be provided as a layer thatis directly or indirectly attached to the outer surface (toward theuser's body) of the thermoelectric couple array 1643 of the heat outputmodule 1640 where an exothermic operation or endothermic operation isperformed. This type of contact surface 1641 may be disposed between theuser's skin and the thermoelectric couple array to perform heattransfer. To this end, the contact surface 1641 may be made of amaterial with high thermal conductivity to facilitate transfer of heatfrom the thermoelectric couple array 1643 to the user's body. Also, thelayer-type contact surface 1641 also prevents direct exposure of thethermoelectric couple array 1643, thereby protecting the thermoelectriccouple array 1643 from external impacts.

In the above description, the contact surface 1641 is disposed on theouter surface of the thermoelectric couple array 1643. However, theouter surface of the thermoelectric couple array 1643 itself may be thecontact surface 1641. In other words, some or all of the front surfaceof the thermoelectric couple array 1643 may be used as the contactsurface 1641.

The substrate 1642 serves to support a unit thermoelectric couple 1645and is made of an insulating material. For example, ceramic may beselected as the material of the substrate 1642. The substrate 1642 maybe of a flat plate shape, but it is not necessarily so.

The substrate 1642 may be made of a flexible material to haveflexibility that may be used universally for several kinds of feedbackdevices 1600 having contact surfaces 1641 of various shapes. Forexample, for a gaming controller-type feedback device 1600, generally, aportion of the gamming controller a user grasps with the palm may becurved. In order to use the heat output module 1640 at the curvedportion, it may be important that the heat output module 1640 hasflexibility. To this end, the flexible material used for the substrate1642 may be, for example, glass fiber or flexible plastic.

The thermoelectric couple array 1643 may be composed of a plurality ofunit thermoelectric couples 1645 disposed on the substrate 1642. Theunit thermoelectric couples 1645 may use different metal couples (e.g.,Bismuth and Antimony, etc.), but N-type and P-type semiconductor couplesmay be used mainly.

In the unit thermoelectric couples 1645, the semiconductor couples maybe electrically connected to each other at one end and may beelectrically connected to the unit thermoelectric couples 1645 at theother end. Electrical connection between a couple of semiconductors 1645a and 1645 b or with an adjacent semiconductor may be accomplished by aconductor member 1646 disposed on the substrate 1642. The conductormember 1646 may be a lead or an electrode made of copper, silver, or thelike.

Electrical connection of the unit thermoelectric couples 1645 may bemainly accomplished as a serial connection, and the unit thermoelectriccouples 1645 connected in series to one another may form thethermoelectric couple group 1644, and such thermoelectric couple groups1644 may form the thermoelectric couple array 1643.

The power terminal 1647 may apply power to the heat output module 1640.The thermoelectric couple array 1643 may dissipate or absorb heataccording to a voltage magnitude and a current direction of the powerapplied to the power terminal 1647. In more detail, two such powerterminals 1647 may be connected to each of the thermoelectric couplegroups 1644. Accordingly, when there are several thermoelectric couplegroups 1644, two power terminals 1647 may be disposed for each of thethermoelectric couple groups 1644. According to such a connectionscheme, a voltage magnitude or a current direction may be individuallycontrolled for each of the thermoelectric couple groups 1644 todetermine whether to perform an exothermic operation or an endothermicoperation and adjust a degree to which the exothermic operation orendothermic operation is performed.

As will be described later, the power terminal 1647 may receive anelectric signal output by the feedback controller 1645. As a result, thefeedback controller 1648 may adjust the direction or size of theelectric signal to control the exothermic operation and the endothermicoperation of the heat output module 1640. Also, when there are aplurality of thermoelectric couple groups 1644, electric signals appliedto power terminals 1647 may be individually adjusted to individuallycontrol the thermoelectric couple groups 1644.

The feedback controller 1648 may apply electric signals to thethermoelectric couple array 1643 through the power terminals 1647. Indetail, the feedback controller 1648 may receive information regarding athermal feedback from the controller 1260 of the content reproductiondevice 1200 through the communication module 1620, interpret theinformation regarding the thermal feedback to determine the type orintensity of the thermal feedback, and allow the thermoelectric couplearray 1643 to output the thermal feedback by generating an electricsignal and applying the electric signal to the power terminals 1647according to a result of the determination.

To this end, the feedback controller 1648 may compute and processvarious kinds of information and output an electric signal to thethermoelectric couple array 1643 according to a result of the processingto control operation of the thermoelectric couple array 1643.Accordingly, the feedback controller 1648 may be implemented as acomputer or the like in hardware, software, or a combination thereof.The feedback controller 1648 may be provided in the form of anelectronic circuit for processing an electric signal to perform acontrol function when being implemented in hardware and may be providedin the form of a program or codes for driving a hardware circuit whenbeing implemented in software.

Such a plurality of heat output modules 1640 may be provided to thefeedback device 1600. For example, when the feedback device 1600 has aplurality of grip parts, each of the grip parts of the feedback device1600 may be equipped with the heat output module 1640. When a pluralityof heat output modules 1640 are provided to a single feedback device1600, a feedback controller may be provided for each of the heat outputmodules 1640 of the feedback device 1600 or a single feedback controllerfor managing all the heat output modules 1640 may be provided in anintegrated manner. Also, when a plurality of feedback devices 1600 areprovided in the thermal experience providing system 1000, one or moreheat output modules 1640 may be disposed in each of the feedback devices1600.

2.3. Aspect of Heat Output Module

Some exemplary aspects of the heat output module 1640 will be describedbased on the above description of the configuration of the heat outputmodule 1640.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an aspect of the heat output module 1640according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6 , according to an aspect of the heat output module1640, a pair of substrates 1642 may be provided to face each other. Acontact surface 1641 may be located outside one of the two substrates1642 to transfer heat generated in the heat output module 1640 to auser's body. Also, when a flexible substrate 1642 is used as thesubstrate 1642, flexibility may be imparted to the heat output module1640.

A plurality of unit thermoelectric couples 1645 are located between thesubstrates 1642. Each of the unit thermoelectric couples 1645 may becomposed of a semiconductor couple of an N-type semiconductor and aP-type semiconductor. In each of the unit thermoelectric couples 1645,the N-type semiconductor and the P-type semiconductor are electricallyconnected to each other at one ends by a conductor member 1646. Also,the other ends of the N-type semiconductor and the P-type semiconductorof any unit thermoelectric couple 1645 are connected to the other endsof N-type semiconductor and the P-type semiconductor of an adjacent unitthermoelectric couple 1645, and thus electrical connection between theunit devices is accomplished through the conductor member 1646. Thus,the unit connection devices are connected in series to form a singlethermoelectric couple group 1644. According to this aspect, the entirethermoelectric couple array 1643 is formed as a single thermoelectriccouple group 1644, and all the unit thermoelectric couples 1645 areconnected in series to each other between power terminals 1647. Thus,the heat output module 1640 performs the same operation over the entirefront surface. That is, the heat output module 1640 may perform anexothermic operation when power is applied to the power terminals 1647in one direction and may perform an endothermic operation when power isapplied to the power terminals 1647 in the opposite direction.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing another aspect of the heat output module1640 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the other aspect of the heat output module 1640 issimilar to the above-described one aspect. However, according to thisaspect, a thermoelectric couple array 1643 has a plurality ofthermoelectric couple groups 1644, each of which is connected to acorresponding power terminal 1647. Thus, the thermoelectric couplegroups 1644 may be individually controlled. For example, referring toFIG. 7 , by applying electric current to a first thermoelectric couplegroup 1644 and a second thermoelectric couple group 1644 in differentdirections, the first thermoelectric couple group 1644 may perform anexothermic operation (in this case, the direction of electric current isset to “forward”), and also the second thermoelectric couple group 1644may perform an endothermic operation (in this case, the direction ofelectric current is set to “reverse”). As another example, by applyingdifferent voltage magnitudes to a power terminal 1647 of the firstthermoelectric couple group 1644 and a power terminal 1647 of the secondthermoelectric couple group 1644, the first thermoelectric couple group1644 and the second thermoelectric couple group 1644 may perform anexothermic operation or an endothermic operation to different degrees.

In FIG. 7 , it is shown that the thermoelectric couple groups 1644 arearranged in the thermoelectric couple array 1643 in one dimension.However, the thermoelectric couple groups 1644 may be arranged in twodimensions. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing still another aspect of the heatoutput module 1640 according to an embodiment of the present invention.Referring to FIG. 8 , when thermoelectric couple groups 1644 disposed intwo dimensions are used, operation control may be performed individuallyfor more-segmented regions.

Also, according to the aspects of the heat output module 1640, it hasbeen described that a pair of substrates 1642 facing each other areused, but a single substrate 1642 may be used. FIG. 9 is a diagramshowing still another aspect of the heat output module 1640 according toan embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9 , unitthermoelectric couples 1656 and conductor members 1646 may be disposedin a single substrate 1642 by being buried into the substrate 1642. Tothis end, glass fiber may be used as the substrate 1642. When the singlesubstrate 1642 according to this aspect is used, higher flexibility maybe imparted to the heat output module 1640.

The various aspects of the heat output module 1640 may be combined ormodified within the scope of what is obvious to those skilled in theart. For example, according to each aspect of the heat output module1640, it has been described that the contact surface 1641 is formed onthe front surface of the heat output module 1640 as a layer separatefrom the heat output module 1640, but the front surface of the heatoutput module 1640 itself may be used as the contact surface 1641. Forexample, according to an aspect of the heat output module 1640, an outersurface of the substrate 1642 may be used as the contact surface 1641.

2.4. Output of Thermal Feedback

A thermal feedback output operation performed by the feedback device1600 will be described below.

The feedback device 1600 may output a thermal feedback as the heatoutput module 1640 performs an exothermic operation or an endothermicoperation. The thermal feedback may include a hot feedback, a coldfeedback, and a thermal grill feedback.

Herein, the hot feedback may be output by the heat output module 1640performing an exothermic operation, and the cold feedback may be outputby the heat output module 1640 performing an endothermic operation.Also, the thermal grill feedback may be output through a thermal grilloperation in which the exothermic operation and the endothermicoperation are combined.

The feedback device 1600 may output the thermal feedback at variousintensities. The intensity of the thermal feedback may be adjusted by afeedback controller 1648 of the heat output module 1640 adjusting themagnitude of a voltage applied to a thermoelectric couple array 1643through a power terminal 1647. Here, the method of adjusting themagnitude of a voltage includes a method of smoothing a duty signal andthen applying power to a thermoelectric element. That is, the adjustmentof the magnitude of a voltage may be regarded as including adjustment ofthe magnitude of a voltage by adjusting a duty rate of the duty signal.

The exothermic operation, the endothermic operation, and the thermalgrill operation will be described below in more detail.

2.4.1. Exothermic/Endothermic Operation

The feedback device 1600 may perform an exothermic operation with theheat output module 1640 to provide a hot feedback to a user. Similarly,the feedback device 1600 may perform an endothermic operation to providea cold feedback to a user.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an exothermic operation for providing a hotfeedback according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.11 is a graph showing the intensity of a hot feedback according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10 , the exothermic operation may be performed by thefeedback controller 1648 applying a forward electric current to thethermoelectric couple array 1643 to induce an exothermic reaction towardthe contact surface 1641. Here, when the feedback controller 1648applies a certain voltage (hereinafter, a voltage causing the exothermicoperation is referred to as a “forward voltage”), to the thermoelectriccouple array 1643, the thermoelectric couple array 1643 initiates theexothermic operation, and the temperature of the contact surface 1641reaches a saturation temperature over time, as shown in FIG. 11 .Accordingly, a user feels no sensation or a weak hot sensation at thebeginning of the exothermic operation, feels an increase in hotsensation when the saturation temperature is reached, and then receivesa hot feedback corresponding to the saturation temperature after acertain period of time elapses.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an exothermic operation for providing acold feedback according to an embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 13 is a graph showing the intensity of a cold feedback according toan embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12 , the endothermic operation may be performed by thefeedback controller 1648 applying a reverse electric current to thethermoelectric couple array 1643 to induce an endothermic reactiontoward the contact surface 1641. Here, when the feedback controller 1648applies a certain voltage to the thermoelectric couple array 1643(hereinafter, a voltage causing the endothermic operation is referred toas a “reverse voltage”), the thermoelectric couple array 1643 initiatesthe endothermic operation, and the temperature of the contact surface1641 reaches a saturation temperature over time, as shown in FIG. 13 .Accordingly, a user feels no sensation or a weak cold sensation at thebeginning of the endothermic operation, feels an increase in coldsensation when the saturation temperature is reached, and then receivesa cold feedback corresponding to the saturation temperature after acertain period of time elapses.

When power is applied to the thermoelectric element, the thermoelectricelement generates heat by converting electric energy into heat energy inaddition to the exothermic reaction and endothermic reaction which aregenerated at both sides of the thermoelectric element. Accordingly, whena voltage with the same magnitude and the opposite current direction isapplied to the thermoelectric couple array 1643, a temperature variationcaused by the exothermic operation may be greater than a temperaturevariation caused by the endothermic operation. Here, the temperaturevariation denotes a difference between an initial temperature and asaturation temperature while the heat output module 1640 is not working.

Hereinafter, the exothermic operation and the endothermic operation,which are performed by a thermoelectric element using electric energy,are collectively referred to as a thermoelectric operation.Additionally, the thermal grill operation, which will be describedbelow, may be interpreted as a kind of “thermoelectric operation”because the thermal grill operation is an operation into which theexothermic operation and the endothermic operation are combined.

2.4.2. Intensity Control for Exothermic/Endothermic Operation

When the heat output module 1640 performs an exothermic operation or anendothermic operation as described above, the feedback controller 1648may control an exothermic level or an endothermic level of the heatoutput module 1640 by adjusting the magnitude of applied voltage.Accordingly, the feedback controller 1648 may adjust the intensity of ahot feedback or a cold feedback by adjusting the magnitude of a voltageas well as by adjusting the direction of current to select the type of aheat feedback to be provided between the hot feedback and the coldfeedback.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing the intensity of a hot/cold feedback usingvoltage adjustment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14 , the feedback device 1600 may providethermal feedbacks with a total of ten intensities (i.e., fiveintensities for the hot feedback and five intensities for the coldfeedback) by the feedback controller 1648 applying voltage magnitudeswith five intensities in a forward or reverse direction.

FIG. 14 shows that the hot feedback has the same number of intensitiesas the cold feedback. However, the number of intensities of the hotfeedback and the number of intensities of the cold feedback do notnecessarily have to be the same and may be different from each other.

Also, it is shown that the hot feedback and the cold feedback areimplemented by changing the current direction while using the samevoltage magnitude. However, the magnitude of the voltage applied for thehot feedback and the magnitude of the voltage applied for the coldfeedback need not be the same.

In particular, when the exothermic operation and the endothermicoperation are performed by applying the same voltage, the temperaturevariation of the hot feedback caused by the exothermic operation isgreater than the temperature variation caused by the endothermicoperation. Thus, by applying a voltage for the cold feedback, which ishigher than the voltage applied for the hot feedback, the sametemperature variation may appear at the same intensity.

The magnitude of the voltage applied to the heat output module 1640,which is controlled in order to control the intensity of the thermalfeedback, has been described above, but the intensity of the thermalfeedback may be controlled in other ways.

As an example, when the thermoelectric couple array 1643 of the heatoutput module 1640 has a plurality of individually controllablethermoelectric couple groups 1644, the feedback controller 1648 maycontrol operation for each thermoelectric couple group 1644 to adjustthe intensity of the thermal feedback.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing adjustment of the intensity of a hot/coldfeedback through operation control for each thermoelectric couple group1644 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 15 , when the thermoelectric couple array 1643 is composed of fivethermoelectric groups 1644-1, 1644-2, 1644-3, 1644-4, and 1644-5, thefeedback controller 1648 may adjust the intensity of the thermalfeedback by applying a voltage to some or all of the thermoelectriccouple groups 1644. For example, the feedback controller 1648 may applya voltage to all of the thermoelectric couple groups 1644 to provide athermal feedback with the highest intensity to the user, may apply avoltage to only four of the thermoelectric couple groups 1644 to providea thermal feedback with an upper middle intensity, may apply a voltageto only three of the thermoelectric couple groups 1644 to provide athermal feedback with a middle intensity to the user, may apply avoltage to only two of the thermoelectric couple groups 1644 to providea thermal feedback with a lower middle intensity to the user, or mayapply a voltage to only one of the thermoelectric couple groups 1644 toprovide a thermal feedback with the lowest intensity to the user.

When the intensity of the thermal feedback is adjusted depending onwhether to apply a voltage to each of the thermoelectric couple groups1644, the feedback controller 1648 may select a thermoelectric couplegroup 1644 to receive the voltage such that heat distribution is asuniform as possible within allowable limits. To this end, the feedbackcontroller 1648 may determine whether to apply a voltage to thethermoelectric couple groups 1644 by minimizing the number ofconsecutive thermoelectric couple groups 1644 to which the voltage isapplied or the number of consecutive thermoelectric couple groups 1644to which the voltage is not applied. Since the table shown in FIG. 15takes into consideration uniformity of the heat distribution, the abovedescription will be more clearly understood with reference to the abovetable.

As another example, the feedback controller 1648 may adjust theintensity of the thermal feedback by controlling power applicationtiming. In detail, the feedback controller 1648 may adjust the intensityof the thermal feedback by applying power to the thermoelectric couplearrays 1643 using an electric signal in the form of a duty signal with aduty cycle.

FIG. 16 is a graph showing adjustment of the intensity of a hot/coldfeedback through power application timing control according to anembodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 16 , it can beseen that the intensity of the thermal feedback is controlled byadjusting the duty rate of the electric signal.

As described above, by adjusting the thermal feedback, it is possible toprovide segmented thermal feedback such as a strong hot sensation, aweak hot sensation, a strong cold sensation, a weak cold sensation, andthe like as well as to just provide a hot sensation and a cold sensationto the user. By using variously segmented thermal feedback, it ispossible to provide a higher degree of immersion to the user under gameenvironments or virtual/augmented reality environments, and it is alsopossible to accurately inspect a patient's sensation when the presentinvention is applied to medical devices.

Also, the intensity of the thermal feedback may be adjusted bycombination of a voltage adjustment scheme, an adjustment scheme foreach thermoelectric couple group 1644 (i.e., a region-based adjustmentscheme), and an adjustment scheme using a duty cycle in addition to theabove-described intensity adjustment method of thermal feedback. Thecombination is obvious to those skilled in the art, and thus a detaileddescription thereof will be omitted.

2.4.2. Thermal Grill Operation

The feedback device 1600 may provide a thermal grill feedback inaddition to the hot feedback and the cold feedback. A thermal painsensation denotes that when a hot spot and a cold spot of a human bodyare simultaneously stimulated, this stimulus is recognized as a painsensation instead of being recognized as a hot sensation and a coldsensation. Accordingly, the feedback device 1600 may provide the headgrill feedback to the user through a thermal grill operation into whichthe exothermic operation and the endothermic operation are combined.

The feedback device 1600 may perform various thermal grill operations toprovide thermal grill feedback. This will be described below after thetypes of thermal grill feedback are described.

2.4.2.1. Types of Thermal Grill Feedback

The thermal grill feedback may include a neutral thermal grill feedback,a hot grill feedback, and a cold grill feedback.

Here, the neutral thermal grill feedback, the hot grill feedback, andthe cold grill feedback cause the user to experience a neutral heatsensation, a hot pain sensation, and a cold pain sensation. The neutralheat pain sensation may refer to only a pain sensation without a hotsensation and a cold sensation, the hot pain sensation may refer to apain sensation in addition to a hot sensation, and the cold painsensation may refer to a pain sensation in addition to a cold sensation.

The neutral heat pain sensation is caused when the intensity of the hotsensation and the intensity of the cold sensation that the user feelscorrespond to predetermined ratio ranges. A ratio at which the userfeels the neutral heat pain sensation (hereinafter referred to as a“neutral ratio”) may be different for each body part that receives athermal feedback, and the neutral ratio may be slightly different foreach individual despite the same human body. In most cases, however, theneutral heat pain sensation tends to be felt while the intensity of thecold sensation is given greater than the intensity of the hot sensation.

Here, the intensity of the thermal feedback may be the amount of heatthat the feedback device 1600 applies to a human body brought intocontact with the contact surface 1600 or the amount of heat that thefeedback device 1600 absorbs from the corresponding human body.Accordingly, when the thermal feedback is applied to a certain area fora certain period of time, the intensity of the thermal feedback may berepresented as a difference between the temperature of the hot sensationor the cold sensation and the temperature of a target portion to whichthe thermal feedback is applied.

On the other hand, human body temperature is usually between 36.5° C.and 36.9° C., and skin temperature is known to be about 30° C. to 32° C.on average but varies for each individual or body part. Palm temperatureis about 33° C., which is slightly higher than the average skintemperature. It will be appreciated that the above-mentioned temperaturevalues may be somewhat different for each individual and may somewhatvary despite the same person.

According to an experiment example, it was confirmed that a neutral heatpain sensation was felt when a hot sensation of about 40° C. and a coldsensation of about 20° C. were applied to a palm of 33° C. Based on thepalm temperature, a hot sensation of about +7° C. and a cold sensationof about −13° C. are applied, and thus the neutral ratio may correspondto 1.86 in terms of temperature.

As can be seen from the above, for most people, the neutral ratio isrepresented as a ratio of a temperature difference caused by the coldsensation to a temperature difference caused by the hot sensation withrespect to a contact target, i.e., a ratio ranges from about 1.5 to 5when the hot sensation and the cold sensation are each continuouslyapplied to a human area of the same size. Also, the hot pain sensationmay be felt when the hot sensation is stronger than the neutral ratio,and the cold pain sensation may be felt when the cold sensation isstronger than the neutral ratio.

2.4.2.2. Thermal Grill Operation According to Voltage Adjustment

The feedback device 1600 may perform a voltage adjustment-based thermalgrill operation. The voltage adjustment-based thermal grill operationmay be applied to the feedback device 1600 with the thermoelectriccouple array 1643 being composed of the plurality of thermoelectriccouple groups 1644.

In detail, the voltage adjustment-based thermal grill operation may beperformed by the feedback controller 1648 applying a forward voltage tosome of the thermoelectric couple groups 1644 to perform an exothermicoperation and applying a reverse voltage to the others to perform anendothermic operation and by the heat output module 1640 providing bothof a hot feedback and a cold feedback.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a voltage adjustment-based thermal grilloperation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 17 , a thermoelectric couple array 1643 includes aplurality of thermoelectric couple groups 1644 disposed to form aplurality of lines. Here, a feedback controller 1648 may apply power sothat first thermoelectric couple groups 1644-1 (e.g., thermoelectriccouple groups in odd lines) perform an exothermic operation and secondthermoelectric couple groups 1644-2 (e.g., thermoelectric couple groupsin even lines) perform an endothermic operation. By the thermoelectriccouple groups 1644 alternately performing the exothermic operation andthe endothermic operation according to line arrangement as describedabove, the user may simultaneously receive a hot sensation and a coldsensation and thus receive a thermal grill feedback. Here, a distinctionbetween the odd lines and the even lines is arbitrary, and thus theorder of the odd lines and the even lines may be reversed.

Here, the feedback device 1600 may provide a neutral thermal grillfeedback by performing control such that a saturation temperature causedby the exothermic operation of the first thermoelectric couple groups1644-1 and a saturation temperature caused by the endothermic operationof the second thermoelectric couple groups 1644-2 follow the neutralratio.

FIG. 18 is a table regarding a voltage for providing a neutral thermalgrill feedback through voltage adjustment according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

For example, referring to FIG. 18 , a feedback controller 1648 may applyfive forward voltages and five reverse voltages to a heat output module1640, and thus the heat output module 1640 performs the exothermicoperation at five levels and the endothermic operation at five levels.At the same level, a temperature variation caused by the exothermicoperation is the same as that of the endothermic operation. Thefollowing description assumes that the feedback device 1600 has aconstant temperature variation interval of each level. When the neutralratio is set to 3, the feedback controller 1648 may apply a forwardvoltage with the first level, which is the smallest level, to the firstthermoelectric couple groups 1644-1 and apply a reverse voltage with thethird level to the second thermoelectric couple groups 1644-2, and thusthe heat output module 1640 may provide a neutral heat pain sensationfeedback. Similarly, when the neutral ratio is 2.5, the feedbackcontroller 1648 may apply a forward voltage with the second level to thefirst thermoelectric couple groups 1644-1 and apply a reverse voltagewith the fifth level to the second thermoelectric couple groups 1644-2in order to provide a neutral thermal grill feedback. Alternatively,when the neutral ratio is 4, the feedback controller 1648 may apply aforward voltage with the first level to the first thermoelectric couplegroups 1644-1 and apply a reverse voltage with the fourth level to thesecond thermoelectric couple groups 1644-2 to generate a neutral thermalgrill feedback. Alternatively, when the neutral ratio is 2, the feedbackcontroller 1648 may apply either a forward voltage with the first leveland a reverse voltage with the second level or a forward voltage withthe second level and a reverse voltage with the fourth level to providea neutral heat pain sensation. In this case, the former neutral heatpain sensation (when the forward voltage with the first level and thereverse voltage with the second level are used) may be stronger than thelatter neutral heat pain sensation (when the forward voltage with thesecond level and the reverse voltage with the fourth level are used).That is, even for the thermal grill feedback, the intensity of thethermal grill feedback may be adjusted. On the other hand, the abovedescription regarding the method of providing the neutral heat painsensation is illustrative, and thus the present invention is not limitedthereto. For example, it is not necessary for the number of levels ofthe thermal feedback to be five, and the number of levels of the coldfeedback may be different from that of the hot feedback. Also, it is notnecessary that the temperature variation interval of each level shouldbe constant, and for example, a voltage interval of each level may beconstant.

Also, the feedback controller 1648 may provide a hot grill feedback byadjusting the forward voltage and the reverse voltage to be equal to orless than the neutral ratio and may provide a cold grill feedback byadjusting the forward voltage and the reverse voltage to be equal to orgreater than the neutral ratio.

For example, referring to FIG. 18 again, when the neutral ratio is setto 3, the feedback controller 1648 may apply a forward voltage with thefirst level to the first thermoelectric couple groups 1644-1 and apply areverse voltage with the first level or the second level to the secondthermoelectric couple groups 1644-2. Then, the heat output module 1640may generate a heat sensation and a pain sensation at a ratio lower thanthe neutral ratio and thus may provide a hot grill feedback to enable auser to simultaneously feel a hot sensation and a pain sensation. Inthis case, the forward voltage need not necessarily be the forwardvoltage used for the neutral thermal grill feedback. In other words, thefeedback controller 1648 may allow the heat output module 1640 toprovide a hot grill feedback using a forward voltage with the fourthlevel and a reverse voltage with the fourth level.

For the cold grill feedback, when the neutral ratio is set to 3, thefeedback controller 1648 may apply either a forward voltage with thefirst level and a reverse voltage with the fourth level or a forwardvoltage with the first level and a reverse voltage with the fifth levelto the heat output module 1640.

However, when the hot grill feedback or the cold grill feedback isintended to be provided and the forward voltage and the reverse voltageare applied at a ratio significantly different from the neutral ratio,the user may not feel a pain sensation. Thus, it may be preferable thatthe levels of the forward voltage/the reverse voltage be adjusted suchthat the ratio becomes close to the neutral ratio.

2.4.2.3 Thermal Grill Operation According to Region Adjustment

It has been described above that the feedback device 1600 providesthermal grill feedback by adjusting a voltage applied to thethermoelectric couple groups 1644 in a state in which regions performingan exothermic operation and regions performing an endothermic operation,which have the same sizes, are alternately arranged in thethermoelectric couple array 1643. However, thermal grill feedback mayalso be generated by adjusting sizes of exothermic regions andendothermic regions.

Specifically, the thermal grill operation using the region adjustmentmethod may be performed by adjusting areas of the thermoelectric couplegroups 1644 to which a forward voltage is applied and areas of thethermoelectric couple groups 1644 to which a reverse voltage is applied.

FIG. 19 is a view related to a thermal grill operation using a regionadjustment method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 19 , the thermoelectric couple array 1643 includes aplurality of thermoelectric couple groups 1644 arranged to form aplurality of lines. Here, if it is assumed that sizes of areas of thelines are equal and that the forward voltage and the reverse voltage areset to voltage values which cause temperature variations of hot feedbackand cold feedback to be equal, when a neutral ratio is 3, the feedbackcontroller 1648 may apply a forward voltage and a reverse voltage to theheat output module 1640 so that three thermoelectric couple groups1644-2 perform the endothermic operation per a single thermoelectriccouple group 1644-1 performing the exothermic operation, and thus thearea of the contact surface 1600 providing the cold feedback is threetimes the area of the contact surface 1600 providing the hot feedback.In this way, the feedback device 1600 may be allowed to provide neutralthermal pain.

However, here, the neutral ratio may refer to a ratio of an area towhich cold feedback is provided to an area to which hot feedback isprovided instead of a ratio between temperature variations at times ofhot feedback and cold feedback. The neutral ratio in terms of area maybe equal to the neutral ratio in terms of temperature but may also besomewhat different therefrom.

In addition, the feedback controller 1648 may also decrease or increasethe number of thermoelectric couple groups 1644-2 performing theendothermic operation per a single thermoelectric couple group 1644-1performing the exothermic operation so that the feedback device 1600performs hot thermal grill feedback or cold thermal grill feedback.

Meanwhile, although the thermoelectric couple groups 1644 have beendescribed as having the same areas with reference to FIG. 19 , to thecontrary, the thermoelectric couple groups 1644 may also be designed inconsideration of a neutral ratio.

FIG. 20 is a view illustrating a thermoelectric couple array 1643 formedof thermoelectric couple groups 1644 having different areas for athermal adjustment method according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 20 , a first thermoelectric couple group 1644-1 and asecond thermoelectric couple group 1644-2 may be designed to havedifferent areas, and a ratio between the areas may be a neutral ratio.When such a thermoelectric couple array 1643 is used, a feedbackcontroller 1648 may apply a forward voltage and a reverse voltage toeach of the first thermoelectric couple group 1644-1 and the secondthermoelectric couple group 1644-2 and allow a feedback device 1600 toprovide neutral thermal grill feedback.

In relation to providing thermal grill feedback by adjusting anexothermic area and an endothermic area, description has been givenabove by assuming that a forward voltage and a reverse voltage are usedwhile temperature variations at times of hot feedback and cold feedbackare equal. However, when, unlike the above, the temperature variationsat the times of hot feedback and cold feedback are different, the ratiobetween the areas should be adjusted by further taking intoconsideration an effect according to the different temperaturevariations.

In other words, to provide neutral thermal pain, a value calculated fromtwo variables, a ratio of an endothermic area to an exothermic area anda ratio of a temperature variation of coldness to a temperaturevariation of hotness, may be caused to become a neutral ratio. Forexample, by causing a product of a ratio between temperature variationsand a ratio between area variations to become a neutral ratio, thefeedback device 1600 may provide thermal grill feedback.

As compared with a thermal grill operation using a voltage, theabove-described thermal grill operation according to the regionadjustment method has an advantage in that it is easy to adjust anintensity of feedback.

When an exothermic operation and an endothermic operation are performedby applying equal voltages to a thermoelectric element, generally, atemperature variation of the exothermic operation is larger than atemperature variation of the endothermic operation. When this aspect iscombined with an aspect wherein, in the case of the thermal grilloperation using voltage adjustment, a temperature variation of coldfeedback has to be made larger than a temperature variation of hotfeedback by an amount which is as much as a neutral ratio, a ratio of amagnitude of a reverse voltage to a magnitude of a forward voltagebecomes a numerical value that is significantly greater than a neutralratio in terms of temperature. Therefore, to provide neutral thermalgrill feedback by using a voltage adjustment method, the feedbackcontroller 1648 has to output an electrical signal in a wide voltagerange. Therefore, when a voltage range of applied power is limited, itmay be substantially difficult to adjust an intensity of thermal grillfeedback.

On the other hand, since, in the region adjustment method, neutralthermal grill feedback is processed by adjusting an area of a hotfeedback region and an area of a cold feedback region, an intensity ofthe neutral thermal grill feedback may be simply adjusted by increasingand decreasing a temperature variation according to an exothermicoperation in the hot feedback region and a temperature variationaccording to an endothermic operation in the cold feedback region.

Specifically, in the part of the description with reference to FIG. 18 ,the feedback controller 1648 may simultaneously increase magnitudes of aforward voltage and a reverse voltage so that the heat output module1640 provides strong neutral thermal grill feedback or maysimultaneously decrease the magnitudes of the forward voltage and thereverse voltage so that the heat output module 1640 provides weakthermal grill feedback. Since, as already mentioned in the descriptionabove with reference to FIG. 18 , the neutral ratio for neutral thermalgrill feedback is already satisfied by the exothermic area and theendothermic area, the feedback controller 1648 may control an intensityof thermal grill feedback by relatively freely adjusting magnitudes of aforward voltage and a reverse voltage.

2.4.2.4. Thermal Grill Operation According to Time Division

In addition, a thermal grill operation may be implemented according to atime division method. Specifically, the thermal grill operationaccording to the time division method may be implemented by performingan exothermic operation and an endothermic operation alternately intime. This is because, when hot feedback and cold feedback arealternately transferred within a relatively short time interval, one'ssensory organ may mistake the alternating of the hot feedback and coldfeedback for thermal pain.

The feedback controller 1648 may cause an exothermic operation and anendothermic operation to be alternately performed by alternatelyapplying a forward voltage and a reverse voltage to the heat outputmodule 1640. Here, neutral thermal grill feedback may be performed byadjusting at least one of a voltage magnitude or a time interval.

FIG. 21 is a view related to an example of a thermal grill operationusing a time division method according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

If it is assumed that a forward voltage and a reverse voltage are setsuch that temperature variations of hot feedback and cold feedback areequal, the feedback controller 1648 may control an output timing of anelectrical signal so that a ratio of a time during which a reversevoltage is applied to a time during which a forward voltage is appliedbecomes a neutral ratio. For example, referring to FIG. 21 , when aneutral ratio is 3, the feedback controller 1648 may provide neutralthermal grill feedback by applying a forward voltage for 20 ms andapplying a reverse voltage for 60 ms. Here, hot thermal grill feedbackor cold thermal grill feedback may be performed according to adjusting aratio of signal output timings. Meanwhile, when a time interval is setto a neutral ratio, the feedback controller 1648 may adjust an intensityof a thermal grill operation by simultaneously increasing orsimultaneously decreasing magnitudes of a forward voltage and a reversevoltage.

FIG. 22 is a view related to another example of a thermal grilloperation using the time division method according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. If it is assumed that application times of hotfeedback and cold feedback are set to equal lengths, the feedbackcontroller 1648 may adjust a voltage value of an electrical signal sothat temperature variations of hot feedback and cold feedback performedduring an equal amount of time have a neutral ratio. For example,referring to FIG. 22 , when a neutral ratio is 3, the feedbackcontroller 1648 may provide neutral thermal grill feedback by adjustingmagnitudes of a forward voltage and a reverse voltage so that atemperature variation in a cold operation section becomes three times atemperature variation in an exothermic operation section whilealternately applying the forward voltage and the reverse voltage at 20ms intervals. Here, hot thermal grill feedback or cold thermal grillfeedback may be performed by adjusting magnitudes of a forward voltageand a reverse voltage.

Of course, the feedback controller 1648 may simultaneously adjust a timeinterval and a voltage magnitude.

Meanwhile, the thermal grill operation using the voltage adjustmentmethod or the region adjustment method causes a sensation of painsensately but simultaneously applies hot heat and cold heat to theuser's body physically. However, when the user's sensory organ iscontinuously stimulated by such thermal pain, the user's body sensesremnants of sensations for a predetermined period of time even after thethermal grill feedback is removed. Since the thermal grill feedback ismostly a sense similar to pain, the user may feel uncomfortable due tothe remnants of sensations. A reason for such remnants of sensations isthat, to provide effective thermal grill feedback, a hot spot and a coldspot of skin are exposed to warmth and coldness, which are delivered ata somewhat high intensity, for a long period of time. On the other hand,since a hot spot and a cold spot of the skin are not continuouslystimulated in the thermal grill operation according to the time divisionmethod, the thermal grill operation according to the time divisionmethod has an advantage in that the afterimage effect is somewhateliminated.

2.4.2.5. Thermal Grill Operation in which Region Adjustment and TimeDivision are Combined

In addition, a thermal grill operation may also be performed bycombining the concept of the region adjustment method with the thermalgrill operation according to the time division method.

Here, the thermal grill operation may be performed such that anexothermic operation and an endothermic operation are alternatelyperformed in one region and another region of a thermoelectric couplearray 1643 with relation to time, wherein different operations areperformed in one region and the other region.

FIG. 23 is a view related to an example of a thermal grill operationusing a method in which region adjustment and time division are combinedaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 23 , a thermoelectric couple array 1643 may include afirst thermoelectric couple group 1644-1 performing a first operationand a second thermoelectric couple group 1644-2 performing a secondoperation. Here, the first operation and the second operation are thesame in that the exothermic operation and the endothermic operation arealternately performed with time but are operations in which theexothermic operation and the endothermic operation are performed atalternate timings. The feedback controller 1648 may sequentially apply aforward voltage and a reverse voltage in that order to the firstthermoelectric couple group 1644-1 to control the first thermoelectriccouple group 1644-1 to perform the first operation and may sequentiallyapply a reverse voltage and a forward voltage in that order to thesecond thermoelectric couple group 1644-2 to control the secondthermoelectric couple group 1644-2 to perform the second operation.Accordingly, since the heat output module 1640 simultaneously outputshot heat feedback and cold feedback from a region of the firstthermoelectric couple group 1644-1 and a region of the secondthermoelectric couple group 1644-2, the feedback device 1600 may providethermal grill feedback. When the first thermoelectric couple group1644-1 and the second thermoelectric couple group 1644-2 have the sameareas, and a length of time of the exothermic operation and a length oftime of the endothermic operation are the same in the first operationand the second operation, the feedback device 1600 may provide neutralthermal grill feedback or provide hot thermal grill feedback or coldthermal grill feedback due to a ratio between voltage values of aforward voltage and a reverse voltage.

Meanwhile, here, the lengths of time of the exothermic operation and theendothermic operation may also be a relatively long time interval unlikethe case in which a thermal grill operation is performed using a simpletime division method. This is because, while it is required to cause anillusion to one's sensory organ by being dependent on a time divisioninterval in the case of the simple time division method, a sensation ofpain may be felt due to simultaneous provision of hot feedback and coldfeedback even if a time interval is long in the case of the combinedmethod. That is, while each of an application time of the forwardvoltage and an application time of the reverse voltage has to beadjusted to an application time less than or equal to that required forthe user to sense hotness according to the exothermic operation or sensecoldness according to the endothermic operation in the case of thesimple time division method, the combined method in which the exothermicoperation and the endothermic operation are alternately performed foreach region has an advantage in that there is little or no time limit.

Further, since the thermal grill operation using the combined methodperiodically provides hot heat and cold heat alternately instead ofcontinuously providing hot heat or cold heat to one's skin, damage tothe skin may be minimized. To this end, it may not be good for the timeinterval to be too long.

Although description has been given above with reference to FIG. 23 thatthe thermoelectric couple array 1643 has two thermoelectric couplegroups 1644 which operate alternately, the combined method may also beapplied to the thermoelectric couple array 1643 having various otherforms.

FIG. 24 is a view related to another example of a thermal grilloperation using the method in which region adjustment and time divisionare combined according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 24 , a thermoelectric couple array 1643 may includefour thermoelectric couple groups 1644-1, 1644-2, 1644-3, and 1644-4.Here, a feedback controller 1648 may apply the following electricalsignals to each thermoelectric couple group 1644. First, during a firsttime section, the feedback controller 1648 applies a forward voltage tothe first thermoelectric couple group 1644-1 so that an exothermicoperation is performed and applies a reverse voltage to the secondthermoelectric couple group 1644-2 so that an endothermic operation isperformed but does not apply a voltage to the remaining groups 1644-3and 1644-4. Next, during a second time section, the feedback controller1648 applies a forward voltage to the third thermoelectric couple group1644-3 so that the exothermic operation is performed and applies areverse voltage to the fourth thermoelectric couple group 1644-4 so thatthe endothermic operation is performed but does not apply a voltage tothe remaining groups 1644-1 and 1644-2. Then, during a third timesection, the feedback controller 1648 applies a reverse voltage to thefirst thermoelectric couple group 1644-1 so that the endothermicoperation is performed and applies a forward voltage to the secondthermoelectric couple group 1644-2 so that the exothermic operation isperformed but does not apply a voltage to the remaining groups 1644-3and 1644-4. Next, during a fourth time section, the feedback controller1648 may apply a reverse voltage to the third thermoelectric couplegroup 1644-3 so that the endothermic operation is performed and apply aforward voltage to the fourth thermoelectric couple group 1644-4 so thatthe exothermic operation is performed. Then, the feedback controller1648 may repeat the first time section to the fourth time section.Alternatively, embodiments may be modified, and the feedback controller1648 may also repeat only the first time section and the second timesection. According to such an operation, the feedback device 1600 mayalternately perform provision of thermal grill feedback by cooperationbetween the first thermoelectric couple group 1644-1 and the secondthermoelectric couple group 1644-2 and provision of thermal grillfeedback by cooperation between the third thermoelectric couple group1644-3 and the fourth thermoelectric couple group 1644-4, and thus, fromthe user's viewpoint, an effect which is the same as being provided withcontinuous thermal grill feedback may be achieved. Here,

Meanwhile, although description has been given above with reference toFIG. 24 that the period in which the thermal grill operation isperformed by the first and second thermoelectric couple groups 1644-1and 1644-2 and the period in which the thermal grill operation isperformed by the third and fourth thermoelectric couple groups 1644-3and 1644-4 do not overlap each other, the two thermal grill operationsmay also have temporally overlapping sections.

FIG. 25 is a view related to still another example of a thermal grilloperation using the method in which region adjustment and time divisionare combined according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 25 , the time sections described above with referenceto FIG. 24 may be spaced apart from each other and overlapping sectionsmay be inserted therebetween. An overlapping section is a section inwhich thermal grill operations which have to be performed in anoperation of a previous time section and an operation of a subsequenttime section are performed together. The thermal grill operation havingthe form including the overlapping section may mitigate the phenomenonin which thermal grill feedback is not transferred to the user duringtime taken for a temperature of the actual thermoelectric element torise up to a saturation temperature from a time point at which a voltageis applied for an exothermic/endothermic operation.

The thermal grill feedback operation may be implemented using variousother methods by combining time division and region adjustment, and thepresent invention should be interpreted as including modifications inwhich the examples mentioned herein are combined.

2.5. Heat Transfer Operation

The heat transfer operation will be described below. Here, the heattransfer operation is an operation of transferring heat in an area ofthe heat output module and may be performed using a heat output module1640 composed of a plurality of individually controllable thermoelectriccouple groups 1644.

FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram showing an example electric signal for aheat transfer operation according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, and FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the heat transfer operationof FIG. 27 .

Referring to FIGS. 26 and 27 , the heat output module 1640 may include afirst thermoelectric couple group 1644-1, a second thermoelectric couplegroup 1644-2, a third thermoelectric couple group 1644-3, and a fourththermoelectric couple group 1644-4.

In this case, the feedback controller 1648 may sequentially apply powerto the thermoelectric element groups. Accordingly, first, the firstthermoelectric couple group may perform a thermoelectric operation(here, the thermoelectric operation includes the exothermic operation,the endothermic operation, and the thermal grill operation).Subsequently, the thermoelectric operation may be performed in the orderof the second, third, and fourth thermoelectric couple groups 1644-2,1644-3, and 1644-4.

Also, when powering on a specific thermoelectric couple group 1644, thefeedback controller 1648 may power off a previous thermoelectric couplegroup 1644. Thus, the first thermoelectric couple group 1644-1 may stopthe thermoelectric operation when the second thermoelectric couple group1644-2 initiates the thermoelectric operation, the second thermoelectriccouple group 1644-2 may stop the thermoelectric operation when the thirdthermoelectric couple group 1644-3 initiates the thermoelectricoperation, and the third thermoelectric couple group 1644-3 may stop thethermoelectric operation when the fourth thermoelectric couple group1644-4 initiates the thermoelectric operation.

Thus, a user may feel a transfer of heat from a region where the firstthermoelectric couple group 1644-1 is disposed on a contact surface to aregion where the fourth thermoelectric couple group 1644-4 is disposedon the contact surface.

The aforementioned example may be utilized as follows.

For example, when a plurality of thermoelectric element groups arehorizontally arranged in the feedback device while being gripped by auser, the user may be provided with a feeling that a cool wind ispassing by transferring cold heat from one side to another. Also, a usermay be provided with a feeling that a heat source is passing bytransferring hot heat.

FIG. 28 is a schematic diagram showing another example electric signalfor a heat transfer operation according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, and FIG. 29 is a diagram showing the heat transfer operationof FIG. 28 .

Referring to FIGS. 28 and 29 , the heat output module 1640 may include afirst thermoelectric couple group 1644-1, a second thermoelectric couplegroup 1644-2, a third thermoelectric couple group 1644-3, and a fourththermoelectric couple group 1644-4.

In this case, the feedback controller 1648 may sequentially apply powerto the thermoelectric couple groups 1644. Accordingly, first, the firstthermoelectric couple group 1644-1 may perform the thermoelectricoperation. Subsequently, the thermoelectric operation may be performedin the order of the second, third, and fourth thermoelectric couplegroups 1644-2, 1644-3, and 1644-4.

Also, at a predetermined time after powering on a specificthermoelectric couple group 1644, the feedback controller 1648 may poweroff a previous thermoelectric couple group. Thus, a user may sense athermal sensation caused by the second thermoelectric couple group1644-2 when the thermal sensing caused by the first thermoelectriccouple group 1644-1 ends, may sense a thermal sensation caused by thethird thermoelectric couple group 1644-3 when the thermal sensing causedby the second thermoelectric couple group 1644-1 ends, and may sense athermal sensation caused by the fourth thermoelectric couple group1644-4 when the thermal sensing caused by the third thermoelectriccouple group 1644-3 ends.

This takes into consideration that a predetermined time is requireduntil the contact surface reaches a temperature at which the user feel ahot sensation after power is applied to the thermoelectric couple group.That is, the predetermined time may correspond to a delay time requireduntil the temperature of the contact surface reaches a temperaturesuitable for transferring a hot sensation after power is applied to thethermoelectric element.

Thus, a user may naturally feel a transfer of heat from a region wherethe first thermoelectric couple group 1644-1 is disposed on the contactsurface to a region where the fourth thermoelectric couple group 1644-4is disposed on the contact surface.

FIG. 30 is a schematic diagram showing still another example electricsignal for a heat transfer operation according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, and FIG. 31 is a diagram showing the heat transferoperation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 30 and 31 , the heat output module 1640 may include afirst thermoelectric couple group 1644-1, a second thermoelectric couplegroup 1644-2, a third thermoelectric couple group 1644-3, and a fourththermoelectric couple group 1644-4.

In this case, the feedback controller 1648 may sequentially apply powerto the thermoelectric couple groups 1644. Accordingly, first, the firstthermoelectric couple group 1644-1 may perform the thermoelectricoperation. Subsequently, the thermoelectric operation may be performedin the order of the second, third, and fourth thermoelectric couplegroups 1644-2, 1644-3, and 1644-4.

Also, the feedback controller 1648 may not power off a thermoelectricelement which is already powered on. Thus, a user may feel a transfer ofheat from a region where the first thermoelectric couple group 1644-1 isdisposed on the contact surface to a region where the fourththermoelectric couple group 1644-4 is disposed on the contact surface.

The aforementioned example may be utilized as follows.

For example, when a plurality of thermoelectric couple groups 1644 arevertically arranged in the feedback device while being gripped by auser, the user may be provided with a feeling that he or she is immersedin cold water starting from the bottom of the body by transferring coldheat from a lower side to an upper side.

FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram showing still another example electricsignal for the heat transfer operation according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, and FIG. 33 is a diagram showing the heat transferoperation of FIG. 32 .

Referring to FIGS. 32 and 33 , the heat output module 1640 may include afirst thermoelectric couple group 1644-1, a second thermoelectric couplegroup 1644-2, a third thermoelectric couple group 1644-3, and a fourththermoelectric couple group 1644-4.

In this case, all the thermoelectric couple groups are powered on toperform the thermoelectric operation.

In this case, the feedback controller 1648 may sequentially power offthe thermoelectric couple groups 1644. Accordingly, first, the firstthermoelectric couple group 1644-1 may stop the thermoelectricoperation. Subsequently, the thermoelectric operation may be stopped inthe order of the second, third, and fourth thermoelectric couple groups1644-2, 1644-3, and 1644-4.

Thus, a user may feel a transfer of heat from a region where the firstthermoelectric couple group 1644-1 is disposed on the contact surface toa region where the fourth thermoelectric couple group 1644-4 is disposedon the contact surface.

The aforementioned example may be utilized as follows.

For example, when a plurality of thermoelectric couple groups 1644 arevertically arranged in the feedback device while being gripped by auser, the user may be provided with a feeling that he or she isseparated from cold water starting from the bottom of the body bytransferring cold heat from a lower side to an upper side.

In the above-described example of the heat transfer operation, the fourthermoelectric couple groups 1644 have been described as being arrangedin a one-dimensional array. However, the number and arrangement ofthermoelectric couple groups 1644 in the heat transfer operationaccording to an embodiment of the present invention are not limited tothe above example.

II. Calibration Method

1. Calibration

Hereinafter, calibration according to an embodiment of the presentinvention will be described.

1.1. Outline of Calibration

Hereinafter, calibration may be understood as an operation in whichparameters related to thermal feedback are adjusted corresponding tocharacteristics of the user or the feedback device 1600.

As described above, the feedback device 1600 may output thermal feedbackat various intensities. However, even if the feedback device 1600outputs thermal feedback at the same intensities, an experiencingintensity of thermal feedback actually felt by each user may bedifferent. For example, when a feedback controller 1648 applies aforward voltage of a first level, which is a level at which themagnitude is the lowest, to a thermoelectric couple group 1644 and thusa heat output module 1640 performs an exothermic operation, a first usermay not sense hot heat, a second user may sense hot heat slightly, and athird user may sense hot heat strongly.

This may be due to various reasons. For example, the experiencingintensity felt by each user may be different due to differences in thedegree of distribution of hot spots and cold spots, positions at whichthe hot spots and cold spots are distributed, and the like for eachuser. In addition, as another example, the experiencing intensity feltby each user may be different due to differences in the degree to whicheach user grasps the feedback device 1600 (for example, the user maytightly grasp or lightly grasp the feedback device 1600). In addition,the experiencing intensity felt by each user may be different due tovarious other characteristics of each user.

Meanwhile, a content reproduction device 1200 may transmit a thermalfeedback signal to the feedback device 1600, and the feedback device1600 may output thermal feedback on the basis of the correspondingthermal feedback signal. For example, the thermal feedback signal outputby the content reproduction device 1200 may include information on anintensity of thermal feedback, and the feedback device 1600 may outputthe thermal feedback at an intensity corresponding to the information onthe intensity of the thermal feedback. As a specific example, inreproducing a specific part of content, the content reproduction device1200 may output a thermal feedback signal including an instruction tooutput hot heat feedback of a first intensity level, and the feedbackdevice 1600 may output the hot heat feedback of the first intensitylevel according to the thermal feedback signal. However, depending onthe user, a temperature of the hot heat feedback corresponding to thefirst intensity level (that is, a saturation temperature) may not berecognized. In this case, since the user fails to recognize thetemperature of the hot heat feedback corresponding to the firstintensity level, the user may not experience a thermal experience duringreproduction of the specific part of the content despite provision ofthe thermal feedback from the feedback device 1600.

However, if, in this case, the temperature of the hot heat feedbackcorresponding to the first intensity level output from the feedbackdevice 1600 has been adjusted in advance to a temperature recognizableby the user, the feedback device 1600 may output the thermal feedback ata temperature recognizable by the user, and accordingly, the user mayhave a thermal experience during reproduction of the specific part ofthe content. Therefore, calibration is required for an intensity ofthermal feedback.

In addition, although calibration of an intensity of thermal feedbackhas been described above, calibration may also be possible for variousother parameters such as a region and time in addition to the intensity.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the calibration will bedescribed as being performed by the feedback device 1600. However,embodiments are not limited thereto, and the calibration may also beperformed by the content reproduction device 1200 or be performed by athird device other than the feedback device 1600 and the contentreproduction device 1200.

1.2. User Input for Calibration

In an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600 mayperform calibration of thermal feedback by obtaining a user input fromthe user. That is, the feedback device 1600 may obtain a user inputrelated to a specific intensity, a specific region, and a specific timepoint of thermal feedback and perform calibration of the thermalfeedback on the basis of the user input.

For example, while intensity calibration is performed, the feedbackdevice 1600 may sequentially output pieces of thermal feedback accordingto a plurality of intensities and receive a selection on a specificintensity among the plurality of intensities through a user input. Then,the feedback device 1600 may adjust an intensity of thermal feedback tothe selected intensity. In order to obtain the user input as describedabove, the feedback device 1600 may include a user input module.

The user input module may obtain a user input from the user. Forexample, the user input module may be formed in various shapes includingshapes of a touch panel, a button, and a stick. For example, the userinput module may include a pressure sensor (for example, a decompressionsensor). Of course, the user input module is not limited to theabove-described exemplary forms.

As a specific example, a pressure sensor may be disposed as the userinput module in a specific region of the casing of the feedback device1600. For intensity calibration, the feedback device 1600 maysequentially output pieces of thermal feedback at a plurality ofintensities while the user's body is in contact with the specificregion, and the user may detach the user's body from the specific regionat a specific intensity. In this case, the feedback device 1600 maydetect a time point at which the user's body is detached from thespecific region by using the pressure sensor and set the specificintensity output at the time point at which the user's body is detachedas the intensity selected by the user. Then, the feedback device 1600may adjust an intensity of thermal feedback to the specific intensity.

In addition, although the user input module has been described above asbeing included in the feedback device 1600, embodiments are not limitedthereto, and the user input module may also be configured as a deviceindependent from the feedback device 1600 or be included in the contentreproduction device 1200 or an audiovisual device 1400.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the feedbackdevice 1600 may perform calibration of thermal feedback by using theaudiovisual device 1400. For example, when calibration is performed, thefeedback device 1600 may transmit a video signal and/or an audio signalto the audiovisual device 1400. In this case, the video signal and/oraudio signal is related to the calibration of thermal feedback and, forexample, may include calibration start information, calibration progressinformation, calibration end information, and the like. In addition, thevideo signal and/or audio signal may also include information on anintensity of thermal feedback currently being output from the feedbackdevice 1600, information on a region of the contact surface 1641currently outputting thermal feedback, and information on a time pointat which thermal feedback is output.

The audiovisual device 1400 may receive the video signal and/or audiosignal from the feedback device 1600 and output a video and/or sound,and the user may perform a user input for calibration by being assistedby the video and/or sound.

Of course, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the video and/orsound may also be output from the feedback device 1600 itself.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the feedbackdevice 1600 may output thermal feedback at a plurality of intensitiesfor calibration. In this case, the feedback controller 1648 maysequentially apply voltage values corresponding to each intensity to thethermoelectric couple group 1644, wherein a predetermined time intervalmay exist between time points at which the voltage values correspondingto each intensity are applied. For example, in an example of FIG. 36Awhich will be described below, the feedback controller 1648 may apply avoltage value corresponding to LV_(H-m1) to the thermoelectric couplegroup 1644 and then, after a predetermined amount of time (for example,one second) has elapsed, apply a voltage value corresponding toLV_(H-m2) to the thermoelectric couple group 1644. This is because, whenthermal feedback corresponding to a plurality of intensities iscontinuously output, the user's senses may be disturbed, and thusaccuracy of calibration may be lowered. Therefore, to eliminatedisturbance to the user's senses, a predetermined time interval mayexist between the time points at which the thermal feedback at theplurality of intensities are applied.

In addition, in order to eliminate the disturbance to the user's senses,the feedback device 1600 may induce different parts of the user's bodyto be in contact with the contact surface 1641 at each time point atwhich the thermal feedback corresponding to the plurality of intensitiesis output. For example, the feedback device 1600 may provide the videosignal and/or audio signal to the audiovisual device 1400 or output avideo and/or sound by itself to induce the user's thumb to be in contactwith the contact surface 1641 when thermal feedback is output at a firstintensity and induce the user's index finger to be in contact with thecontact surface 1641 when thermal feedback is output at a secondintensity. By different parts of the user's body being in contact withthe contact surface 1641 every time thermal feedback is output at eachintensity, disturbance to the user's senses may be eliminated, andaccordingly, accuracy of calibration may be improved.

1.3. Intensity Calibration

FIG. 34 is a flowchart related to a method for calibration of anintensity of thermal feedback according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

An intensity calibration method according to FIG. 34 may includecalibration of intensities of hot feedback and cold feedback (S12600)and calibration of an intensity of thermal grill feedback (S12700).

Hereinafter, each of the above-mentioned steps will be described in moredetail.

First, the feedback device 1600 may perform calibration of intensitiesof hot feedback and cold feedback (S12600).

Which thermal feedback, either hot feedback or cold feedback, will becalibrated first may not be important. Hereinafter, for convenience ofdescription, it will be described that hot feedback is calibrated firstand then cold feedback is calibrated. However, embodiments are notlimited thereto, and cold feedback may be calibrated first and then hotfeedback may be calibrated. In addition, the feedback device 1600 mayset at least one intermediate intensity after performing calibration ofthe lowest intensity and the highest intensity of hot feedback and coldfeedback.

In addition, the feedback device 1600 may perform calibration of anintensity of thermal grill feedback (S12700).

The thermal grill feedback may be generated according to a ratio betweenan intensity of hot feedback and an intensity of cold feedback at apredetermined body part. Accordingly, it may be preferable thatcalibration of the intensity of the thermal grill feedback be performedby adjusting the intensity of the hot feedback and/or the intensity ofthe cold feedback after the intensity of the hot feedback and theintensity of the cold feedback are calibrated in advance. However,embodiments are not limited thereto, and even if the intensity of thehot feedback and the intensity of the cold feedback are not calibratedin advance, the calibration of the intensity of the thermal grillfeedback may be performed using preset values of the intensity of thehot feedback and the intensity of the cold feedback.

steps S12600 and S12700 will be described in more detail below. !

1.3.1. Calibration of Intensities of Hot Feedback and Cold Feedback

1.3.1.1. Setting Lowest Intensities of Hot Feedback and Cold Feedback

FIG. 35 is a flowchart related to a method for calibration ofintensities of hot feedback and cold feedback according to an embodimentof the present invention.

An intensity calibration method according to FIG. 35 may include settinglowest intensities of hot feedback and cold feedback (S12610), settinghighest intensities of the hot feedback and the cold feedback (S12620),and setting at least one intermediate intensity of the hot feedback andthe cold feedback (S12630).

An intensity of which thermal feedback, either the hot feedback or thecold feedback of the present invention, will be set first does not havemuch influence on accuracy of calibration.

In addition, intensity calibration for the cold feedback may beperformed after all of the lowest intensity, the highest intensity, andthe intermediate intensity of the hot feedback are set, or, after thelowest intensities of the hot feedback and the cold feedback are set,the highest intensities of the hot feedback and the cold feedback may beset and then the intermediate intensities of the hot feedback and thecold feedback may be set.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, intensity calibration ofthe hot feedback and the cold feedback will be described as beingperformed in the order in which the lowest intensities of the hotfeedback and the cold feedback are set first, the highest intensities ofthe hot feedback and the cold feedback are set, and then theintermediate intensities of the hot feedback and the cold feedback areset.

Hereinafter, each of the above-mentioned steps will be described in moredetail.

First, the feedback device 1600 may set lowest intensities of hotfeedback and cold feedback (S12610).

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the feedbackdevice 1600 may perform calibration of the lowest intensities of hotfeedback and cold feedback first and then perform calibration of thehighest intensities of the hot feedback and the cold feedback. This isdue to taking the user's senses into consideration according to theintensity calibration. If the calibration of the lowest intensities isperformed after the calibration of the highest intensities, thermalfeedback according to the calibration of the highest intensities may betransmitted to the user, and thresholds of the hot spots and the coldspots of the user become high due to thermal feedback according to thecalibration of the highest intensities during a predetermined amount oftime. Accordingly, if the calibration of the lowest intensities isperformed during the predetermined amount of time, the user may fail tosense thermal feedback according to the calibration of the lowestintensities even if the thermal feedback according to the calibration ofthe lowest intensities is transferred to the user.

On the other hand, if the calibration of the highest intensities isperformed after the calibration of the lowest intensities, thethresholds of the hot spots and cold spots of the user may be relativelylow even if thermal feedback according to the calibration of the lowestintensities is transferred to the user, and when, afterwards, thermalfeedback according to the calibration of the highest intensities istransferred to the user, the user may sense the thermal feedbackaccording to the calibration of the highest intensities.

Therefore, in the present invention, preferably, the calibration of thelowest intensities may be performed first and then the calibration ofthe highest intensities may be performed when performing calibration ofthe intensities of the hot feedback and cold feedback.

However, the thresholds of the hot spots and cold spots of the user mayreturn to their original states after a predetermined amount of time.Therefore, embodiments are not limited to the above, and the calibrationof the highest intensities may be performed first and then thecalibration of the lowest intensities may be performed when performingthe calibration of the intensities of the hot feedback and coldfeedback.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600 mayset the lowest intensity of hot feedback.

FIG. 36 is a graph related to a lowest intensity setting of hot feedbackand cold feedback according to an embodiment of the present invention.Referring to FIG. 36A, the feedback device 1600 may preset a pluralityof intensities LV_(H-m1) to LV_(H-m4) of hot feedback and output the hotfeedback in order from LV_(H-m1), which is the weakest intensity amongthe plurality of intensities, to LV_(H-m4), which is the strongestintensity. That is, voltage values corresponding to the plurality ofintensities LV_(H-m1) to LV_(H-m4) may be different, and the feedbackcontroller 1648 may sequentially apply the voltage values correspondingto each intensity to the thermoelectric couple group 1644.

In an embodiment of the present invention, temperatures of the pluralityof intensities LV_(H-m1) to LV_(H-m4) may be lower than that of a firststage of hot feedback described above with reference to FIG. 14 . Ofcourse, the temperatures of the plurality of intensities LV_(H-m1) toLV_(H-m4) may be irrelevant to the stages of hot feedback describedabove with reference to FIG. 14 .

In addition, although the plurality of intensities LV_(H-m1) toLV_(H-m4) are shown as four stages in the example of FIG. 36 ,embodiments are not limited thereto, and the plurality of intensitiesmay be set to various numbers of stages.

The feedback device 1600 may obtain a user input for any one intensityamong the plurality of intensities LV_(H-m1) to LV_(H-m4). For example,when hot feedback is output from the weakest intensity to the strongestintensity, the user may fail to sense hotness at first and then sensehotness when hot feedback is output at a specific intensity from thefeedback device 1600. In this case, the feedback device 1600 may obtaina user input for the specific intensity and set the specific intensityas the lowest intensity of the hot feedback.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, when the userinput is obtained, the feedback device 1600 may stop output of hotfeedback.

In addition, in another embodiment of the present invention, when theuser input is obtained, the feedback device 1600 may not stop the outputof the hot feedback.

For example, the plurality of intensities LV_(H-m1) to LV_(H-m4) mayalso be used in setting the highest intensity of the hot feedback aswell as setting the lowest intensity of the hot feedback. In this case,even if the hot feedback is output from the weakest intensity to thestrongest intensity and a user input is obtained for any one intensityamong the plurality of intensities LV_(H-m1) to LV_(H-m4), the feedbackdevice 1600 may continue to sequentially output pieces of hot feedbackand then obtain a user input for an intensity different from anintensity which has already been obtained through the user input. Inthis case, the intensity obtained later through the user input may beset as the highest intensity of the hot feedback.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the feedbackdevice 1600 may set the lowest intensity of cold feedback. Referring toFIG. 36B, the feedback device 1600 may preset a plurality of intensitiesLV_(C-m1) to LV_(C-m4) of cold feedback and output the cold feedback inorder from LV_(C-m1), which is the weakest intensity among the pluralityof intensities, to LV_(C-m4), which is the strongest intensity. That is,voltage values corresponding to the plurality of intensities LV_(C-m1)to LV_(C-m4) may be different, and the feedback controller 1648 maysequentially apply the voltage values corresponding to each intensity tothe thermoelectric couple group 1644.

Like the setting of the lowest intensity of the hot feedback, thefeedback device 1600 may obtain a user input for any one intensity amongthe plurality of intensities LV_(C-m1) to LV_(C-m4). The feedback device1600 may set an intensity input by the user among the plurality ofintensities LV_(C-m1) to LV_(C-m4) as the lowest intensity of the coldfeedback. Since description given above in relation to the setting ofthe lowest intensity of the hot feedback may be applied as it is to thesetting of the lowest intensity of the cold feedback, descriptionoverlapping that given above in relation to the setting of the lowestintensity of the hot feedback will be omitted.

1.3.1.2. Setting Highest Intensities of Hot Feedback and Cold Feedback

In an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600 mayset highest intensities of hot feedback and cold feedback (S12620). FIG.37 is a graph related to a highest intensity setting of hot feedback andcold feedback according to an embodiment of the present invention.Referring to FIG. 37A, the feedback device 1600 may preset a pluralityof intensities LV_(H-m1) to LV_(H-m4) of hot feedback and output the hotfeedback in order from LV_(H-m1), which is the weakest intensity amongthe plurality of intensities, to LV_(H-m4), which is the strongestintensity. That is, voltage values corresponding to the plurality ofintensities LV_(H-m1) to LV_(H-m4) may be different, and the feedbackcontroller 1648 may sequentially apply the voltage values correspondingto each intensity to the thermoelectric couple group 1644.

In this case, the feedback device 1600 may determine temperatures of theplurality of intensities LV_(H-m1) to LV_(H-m4) in consideration todamage to the user's body according to thermal feedback.

Specifically, since the above-described thermoelectric operationstimulates hot spots/cold spots of the skin, damage to the skin or asensory organ may be caused when an amount of heat of a predeterminedlevel or higher is transferred to the user. For example, denaturation ofskin tissue may occur due to heat when thermal feedback is provided atan extremely high intensity to the user, or confusion may be caused tosensory organs when thermal feedback is continuously provided to theuser over a long period of time.

Accordingly, in order to prevent damage to the user according to thermalfeedback, in the present invention, a critical temperature T_(Hdmg) ofhot feedback and a critical temperature T_(Cdmg) of cold feedback may beset. In this case, a temperature of a contact surface 1641 due to outputof hot feedback may be lower than the critical temperature T_(Hdmg), anda temperature of the contact surface 1641 due to output of cold feedbackmay be higher than the critical temperature T_(Cdmg).

Therefore, in setting the highest temperature of hot feedback, thetemperatures of the plurality of intensities LV_(H-m1) to LV_(H-m4) maybe set to be lower than the critical temperature T_(Hdmg).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the temperatures of theplurality of intensities LV_(H-m1) to LV_(H-m4) may be temperatureslower than a fifth stage of hot feedback described above with referenceto FIG. 14 . Of course, the temperatures of the plurality of intensitiesLV_(H-m1) to LV_(H-m4) may be irrelevant to the stages of hot feedbackdescribed above with reference to FIG. 14 . In addition, according tocircumstances, the plurality of intensities LV_(H-m1) to LV_(H-m4) maybe the same as, or different from, the plurality of intensitiesLV_(H-m1) to LV_(H-m4) described above with reference to FIG. 36 .

In addition, although the plurality of intensities LV_(H-m1) toLV_(H-m4) are shown as four stages in the example of FIG. 37 ,embodiments are not limited thereto, and the plurality of intensitiesmay be set to various numbers of stages.

In addition, the feedback device 1600 may obtain a user input for anyone intensity among the plurality of intensities LV_(H-m1) to LV_(H-m4).For example, when hot feedback is output from the weakest intensity tothe strongest intensity, an intensity at the highest temperature may beselected according to the user's determination, and the feedback device1600 may obtain a user input for the intensity at the highesttemperature and set the received intensity as the highest intensity ofthe hot feedback.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, when the userinput is obtained, the feedback device 1600 may stop output of hotfeedback.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the feedbackdevice 1600 may set the highest intensity of cold feedback. Referring toFIG. 37B, the feedback device 1600 may preset a plurality of intensitiesLV_(C-m1) to LV_(C-m4) of cold feedback and output the cold feedback inorder from LV_(C-m1), which is the weakest intensity among the pluralityof intensities, to LV_(C-m4), which is the strongest intensity. That is,voltage values corresponding to the plurality of intensities LV_(C-m1)to LV_(C-m4) may be different, and the feedback controller 1648 maysequentially apply the voltage values corresponding to each intensity tothe thermoelectric couple group 1644.

Like the setting of the highest intensity of the hot feedback, in orderto protect the user's body from cold feedback, the temperatures of theplurality of intensities LV_(C-m1) to LV_(C-m4) may be set to be higherthan the critical temperature T_(Cdmg) of the cold feedback when settingthe highest intensity of the cold feedback. In addition, the feedbackdevice 1600 may obtain a user input for any one intensity among theplurality of intensities LV_(C-m1) to LV_(C-m4). The feedback device1600 may set an intensity input by the user among the plurality ofintensities LV_(C-m1) to LV_(C-m4) as the highest intensity of the coldfeedback. Since description given above in relation to the setting ofthe highest intensity of the hot feedback may be applied as it is to thesetting of the highest intensity of the cold feedback, descriptionoverlapping that given above in relation to the setting of the highestintensity of the hot feedback will be omitted.

1.3.1.3. Setting Intermediate Intensities of Hot Feedback and ColdFeedback

In an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600 mayset intermediate intensities of hot feedback and cold feedback (S12630).

As described above with reference to FIG. 14 , the feedback device 1600may output thermal feedback at a plurality of intensities (for example,five stages of hot feedback, five stages of cold feedback).

The lowest intensities and highest intensities of hot feedback and coldfeedback have been set in steps S12610 and S12620, and the intermediateintensities between the lowest intensity and the highest intensity areset in step S12630.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the number of intermediateintensities, which is at least one or more, may be preset by thefeedback device 1600 or may be determined according to the number ofintermediate intensities preset by the content reproduction device 1200.In addition, the number of intermediate intensities may be determined bythe number of intensities of thermal feedback output by the feedbackdevice 1600 for intensity calibration. For example, the number ofintermediate intensities may be equal to the number of intensitiesremaining after excluding the lowest intensity and the highest intensityfrom the number of intensities of thermal feedback output by thefeedback device 1600 for intensity calibration.

Of course, according to circumstances, the intermediate intensity maynot exist, and in this case, step S12630 may not be performed.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600 mayset at least one intermediate intensity of hot feedback.

FIG. 38 is a graph related to an intermediate intensity setting of hotfeedback and cold feedback according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 38A, a lowest intensity LV_(H-m) and a highestintensity LV_(H-M) of hot feedback may be preset. In addition, thenumber of intermediate intensities of hot feedback may be set to three.In this case, the feedback device 1600 may set three intermediateintensities LV_(H-a), LV_(H-b), and LV_(H-c) by using the lowestintensity LV_(H-m) and the highest intensity LV_(H-M) of the hotfeedback. In this case, a temperature of the highest intensity LV_(H-M)may be lower than a preset predetermined critical temperature T_(Hdmg).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600 mayset the intermediate intensities LV_(H-a), LV_(H-b), and LV_(H-c) byinterpolating voltage values or temperatures corresponding to the lowestintensity LV_(H-m) and the highest intensity LV_(H-m) of the hotfeedback.

For example, the feedback device 1600 may calculate three voltage valuesby interpolating a voltage value corresponding to the lowest intensityLV_(H-m) and a voltage value corresponding to the highest intensityLV_(H-M) and set intensities respectively corresponding to the threevoltage values (interpolated voltage values) as the intermediateintensities LV_(H-a), LV_(H-b), and LV_(H-c).

As another example, the feedback device 1600 may check a temperaturecorresponding to the lowest intensity LV_(H-m) and a temperaturecorresponding to the highest intensity LV_(H-M), interpolate thetemperature corresponding to the lowest intensity LV_(H-M) and thetemperature corresponding to the highest intensity LV_(H-M), andcalculate three temperatures (interpolated temperatures). In this case,the feedback device 1600 may set the three calculated temperatures aseach of temperatures corresponding to the intermediate intensitiesLV_(H-a), LV_(H-b), and LV_(H-c). Then, the feedback device 1600 maycalculate voltage values corresponding to each of the set temperaturesof the intermediate intensities LV_(H-a), LV_(H-b), and LV_(H-c) and,when outputting hot feedback at any one intermediate intensity among theintermediate intensities LV_(H-a), LV_(H-b), and LV_(H-c), the feedbackdevice 1600 may apply a voltage value corresponding to the intermediateintensity to the heat output module 1640.

In addition, in another embodiment of the present invention, thefeedback device 1600 may set preset intensities as the intermediateintensities LV_(H-a), LV_(H-b), and LV_(H-c).

For example, the feedback device 1600 may set, among one or moreintensities having preset voltage values, intensities having voltagevalues between the voltage value of the lowest intensity LV_(H-m) andthe voltage value of the highest intensity LV_(H-m), which have been setin steps S12610 and S12620, as the intermediate intensities LV_(H-a),LV_(H-b), and LV_(H-c).

As another example, the feedback device 1600 may set, among one or moreintensities having preset temperatures, intensities having temperaturesbetween the temperature of the lowest intensity LV_(H-m) and thetemperature of the highest intensity LV_(H-M) as the intermediateintensities LV_(H-a), LV_(H-b), and LV_(H-c).

In addition, the feedback device 1600 may check whether preset voltagevalues or temperatures of the intermediate intensities LV_(H-a),LV_(H-b), and LV_(H-c) fall within the range of the voltage values ortemperatures of the lowest intensity LV_(H-m) and the highest intensityLV_(H-M) of the hot feedback. When the preset voltage values ortemperatures of the intermediate intensities LV_(H-a), LV_(H-b), andLV_(H-c) fall within the range of the voltage values or temperatures ofthe lowest intensity LV_(H-m) and the highest intensity LV_(H-M) of thehot feedback, the feedback device 1600 may maintain the preset voltagevalues or temperatures of the intermediate intensities LV_(H-a),LV_(H-b), and LV_(H-c). On the other hand, when the preset voltagevalues or temperatures of the intermediate intensities LV_(H-a),LV_(H-b), and LV_(H-c) do not fall within the range of the voltagevalues or temperatures of the lowest intensity LV_(H-m) and the highestintensity LV_(H-M) of the hot feedback, the feedback device 1600 mayreset the voltage values or temperatures of the intermediate intensitiesLV_(H-a), LV_(H-b), and LV_(H-c) so that the voltage values ortemperatures fall within the range of voltage values or temperatures ofthe lowest intensity LV_(H-m) and the highest intensity LV_(H-M) of thehot feedback.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the feedbackdevice 1600 may set at least one intermediate intensity of coldfeedback.

Referring to FIG. 38B, a lowest intensity LV_(C-m) and a highestintensity LV_(C-M) of cold feedback may be preset. In addition, thenumber of intermediate intensities of cold feedback may be set to three.In this case, the feedback device 1600 may set three intermediateintensities LV_(C-a), LV_(C-b), and LV_(C-c) by using the lowestintensity LV_(C-m) and the highest intensity LV_(C-M) of the coldfeedback. In this case, a temperature of the highest intensity LV_(C-M)may be higher than a preset predetermined critical temperature T_(Cdmg).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600 mayset the intermediate intensities LV_(C-a), LV_(C-b), and LV_(C-c) byinterpolating voltage values or temperatures corresponding to the lowestintensity LV_(C-m) and the highest intensity LV_(C-M) of the coldfeedback.

In addition, in another embodiment of the present invention, thefeedback device 1600 may set the intermediate intensities LV_(C-a),LV_(C-b), and LV_(C-c) regardless of the lowest intensity LV_(C-m) andthe highest intensity LV_(C-M) of the cold feedback which have been setin steps S12610 and S12620.

Since description given above in relation to the setting of theintermediate intensities of the hot feedback may be applied as it is tothe setting of the intermediate intensities of the cold feedback,description overlapping that given above in relation to the setting ofthe intermediate intensities of the hot feedback will be omitted.

1.3.2. Calibration of Intensity of Thermal Grill Feedback

FIG. 39 is a flowchart related to a method for calibration of anintensity of thermal grill feedback according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

An intensity calibration method according to FIG. 39 may include settingreference intensities of thermal grill feedback (S13100) and settingfinal intensities of thermal grill feedback on the basis of thereference intensities (S13200).

As described above, the feedback device 1600 may provide thermal grillfeedback to the user through the thermal grill operation in which theexothermic operation and the endothermic operation are performed incombination. The thermal grill feedback provides thermal pain to theuser. When hot spots and cold spots of the user's body aresimultaneously stimulated, the user fails to sense hotness and coldnessand senses thermal pain.

Specifically, whether thermal pain will be perceived may be determinedaccording to an intensity at which hotness and coldness are perceivedand a ratio between hotness and coldness, and such an intensity/ratio ofthe hotness and coldness may be different for each person. Accordingly,even if the feedback device 1600 outputs thermal grill feedback, someusers may not perceive thermal pain, and even if the user senses thermalpain, an intensity of thermal pain sensed by each user may be different.In addition, even for the same user, an intensity of thermal pain sensedby the user may be different for each body part of the user.

If thermal grill feedback output from the feedback device 1600 ispre-adjusted corresponding to characteristics of the user and each bodypart, the user may sense thermal pain at an intensity intended by thefeedback device 1600 and/or the content reproduction device 1200.Therefore, calibration is also required for thermal grill feedback.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the thermal grill feedbackmay include neutral thermal grill feedback, hot thermal grill feedback,and cold thermal grill feedback, and whether the thermal grill feedbackis neutral/hot/cold thermal grill feedback may be determined accordingto a ratio between an intensity of hot feedback and an intensity of coldfeedback.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, description will be givenmainly on the basis of calibration of neutral thermal grill feedback.However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and since a differenceexists in terms of a ratio between an intensity of hot feedback and anintensity of cold feedback between the neutral thermal grill feedbackand the hot/cold thermal grill feedback, the details which will bedescribed below may also be applied to calibration of hot thermal grillfeedback and cold thermal grill feedback.

In addition, it has been confirmed above that the thermal grilloperation may be performed by voltage adjustment, region adjustment, andtime division. Accordingly, calibration methods according to voltageadjustment, region adjustment, and time division will be describedbelow.

1.3.2.1. Calibration According to Voltage Adjustment

The feedback device 1600 may perform calibration of thermal grillfeedback by using a voltage adjustment method.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600 mayperform calibration of thermal grill feedback by using the lowestintensity, the highest intensity, and/or at least one intermediateintensity set in the above-described calibration of intensities of hotfeedback and cold feedback. This is because, since the thermal grillfeedback is performed with a combination of hot feedback and coldfeedback, calibration of thermal grill feedback may be more accuratelyand promptly performed when pieces of intensity information of hotfeedback and cold feedback which have been adjusted corresponding tocharacteristics of the user are used.

Of course, embodiments are not limited thereto, and calibration ofthermal grill feedback may also be performed using pieces of intensityinformation of hot feedback and cold feedback which have not beencalibrated.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, it will be assumed thatintensity information on an n-th level (intensity) of hot feedback(temperature at the contact surface 1641 for each intensity, voltagevalue applied to the thermoelectric couple group 1644 for eachintensity) and intensity information on an n-th level of cold feedbackare preset through calibration of the hot feedback and cold feedback.Accordingly, the feedback controller 1648 may apply n forward voltagesand n reverse voltages to the thermoelectric couple groups 1644, andaccordingly, each thermoelectric couple group 1644 may perform anexothermic operation and an endothermic operation of level n, whereinsizes of temperature variations according to the exothermic operationand the endothermic operation of the same level are assumed to be thesame.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600 mayset reference intensities of thermal grill feedback (S13100). This maybe caused when a ratio between intensities of hotness and coldnesssensed by the user corresponds to a predetermined ratio range, that is,a neutral ratio. In addition, even for the same neutral ratio, anintensity of thermal grill feedback may become stronger as a differencebetween hot heat according to hot feedback and cold heat according tocold feedback becomes greater.

First, the feedback device 1600 may set a neutral ratio for output ofthermal grill feedback.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a neutral ratio may bepreset. For example, the neutral ratio may be set to any one ratio from2 to 5.

In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention,the feedback device 1600 may obtain a user input for a neutral ratio.

FIG. 40 is a table related to voltages for providing thermal grillfeedback based on neutral ratios according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 40 , V_(H-1) indicates a voltage applied to athermoelectric couple group at the time of outputting hot feedback at afirst level (intensity), and V_(C-2), V_(C-3), V_(C-4), and V_(C-5)indicate voltages applied to the thermoelectric couple group at the timeof outputting cold feedback at a second level to a fifth level. Inaddition, for output of thermal grill feedback, the feedback device 1600may apply power so that a first thermoelectric couple group performs anexothermic operation and a second thermoelectric couple group performsan endothermic operation.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600 mayoutput thermal pain feedback in order from a low neutral ratio to a highneutral ratio. Of course, the feedback device 1600 may also outputthermal pain feedback in order from a high neutral ratio to a lowneutral ratio. The feedback device 1600 may obtain a user input for anyone neutral ratio among the plurality of neutral ratios. For example,when thermal grill feedback is output in order from a low neutral ratioto a high neutral ratio, the user may not sense thermal pain at firstand then sense thermal pain when hot feedback is output at a specificneutral ratio from the feedback device 1600. In this case, the feedbackdevice 1600 may obtain a user input for the specific neutral ratio andset the specific neutral ratio as a neutral ratio for thermal grillfeedback.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the feedbackdevice 1600 may set reference intensities of thermal grill feedback byusing set neutral ratios (preset neutral ratios or neutral ratios set onthe basis of user inputs) and resulting values of intensity calibrationof hot feedback and cold feedback.

Also referring to FIG. 41 , FIG. 41 is a table related to voltages forproviding thermal grill feedback based on reference intensitiesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 41 , V_(H-1), V_(H-2), V_(H-3), V_(H-4), and V_(H-5) indicatevoltages applied to a thermoelectric couple group at the time ofoutputting hot feedback at a first level (intensity) to a fifth level,and V_(C-2), V_(C-4), V_(C-6), V_(C-8), and V_(C-10) indicate voltagesapplied to a thermoelectric couple group at the time of outputting coldfeedback at a second level, a fourth level, a sixth level, an eighthlevel, and a tenth level. In the example of FIG. 41 , it is assumed thatthe neutral ratio is set to 2. The V_(H-1) to V_(H-5) and V_(C-2) toV_(C-10) may be resulting values of the intensity calibration of hotfeedback and cold feedback.

Corresponding to the neutral ratio of 2, the feedback device 1600 mayset a voltage applied to a first thermoelectric couple group in relationto thermal grill feedback at a first reference intensity as V_(H-1)corresponding to hot feedback at a first level and set a voltage appliedto a second thermoelectric couple group as V_(C-2) corresponding to hotfeedback at a second level. Likewise, the feedback device 1600 may setvoltages applied to the first thermoelectric couple group and voltagesapplied to the second thermoelectric couple group in relation to thermalgrill feedback at a second reference intensity to a fifth referenceintensity according to FIG. 41 . In other words, when hot feedback at afirst level is hot feedback at the lowest intensity and cold feedback ata tenth level is hot feedback at the highest intensity, the feedbackdevice 1600 may set reference intensities of thermal grill feedback byusing the lowest intensity of the hot feedback, the highest intensity ofthe cold feedback, and intermediate intensities of the hot feedback/coldfeedback.

As described above, the intensity of thermal pain feedback may becomestronger as a value of a temperature difference between hot heat outputto the first thermoelectric couple group and cold heat output from thesecond thermoelectric couple group is greater. In the example of FIG. 41, a value of a temperature difference between hot heat output to thefirst thermoelectric couple group and cold heat output from the secondthermoelectric couple group at the time of outputting thermal grillfeedback at the fifth reference intensity may be greater than a value ofa temperature difference between hot heat output to the firstthermoelectric couple group and cold heat output from the secondthermoelectric couple group at the time of outputting thermal grillfeedback at the first reference intensity. Accordingly, the firstreference intensity may become the lowest reference intensity of thermalgrill feedback, the fifth reference intensity may become the highestreference intensity of the thermal grill feedback, and the secondreference intensity to the fourth reference intensity may becomeintermediate reference intensities of the thermal grill feedback.

Although the reference intensities when the neutral ratio is 2 have beendescribed above with reference to the example of FIG. 41 , theembodiment described above with reference to FIG. 41 may also be appliedto other neutral ratios. For example, when the neutral ratio is 3, thefeedback device 1600 may set a voltage applied to the firstthermoelectric couple group in relation to thermal grill feedback at thefirst reference intensity as V_(H-1) corresponding to the hot feedbackat the first level and set a voltage applied to the secondthermoelectric couple group as V_(C-3) corresponding to the hot feedbackat the second level. In addition, the feedback device 1600 may set avoltage applied to the first thermoelectric couple group in relation tothe thermal grill feedback at the first reference intensity as V_(H-5)corresponding to the hot feedback at the fifth level and set a voltageapplied to the second thermoelectric couple group as V_(C-15)corresponding to hot feedback at a fifteenth level.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the feedbackdevice 1600 may set final intensities on the basis of the referenceintensities (S13200).

As described above, the reference intensities may be generated on thebasis of the preset lowest intensities, highest intensities, andintermediate intensities of hot feedback and cold feedback. This isbecause the preset intensities of hot feedback and cold feedback havebeen adjusted corresponding to characteristics of the user. However,despite the adjustment, depending on characteristics of the user, theuser may fail to perceive thermal pain or only slightly perceive thermalpain due to thermal grill feedback according to the referenceintensities. Therefore, in step S13200, final intensities indicatingintensities of thermal grill feedback suitable for the user may be setby more finely adjusting the reference intensities so that the referenceintensities fit characteristics of the user. Here, the final intensitiesmay include the lowest intensity, the highest intensity, and at leastone intermediate intensity of thermal grill feedback.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600 mayreceive selections on final intensities suitable for the user among thereference intensities through user inputs.

Specifically, in an embodiment of the present invention, the feedbackdevice 1600 may sequentially output pieces of thermal grill feedback ata first reference intensity to a fifth reference intensity.

In this case, the feedback device 1600 may set the lowest intensityamong the final intensities through a user input. More specifically,when the pieces of thermal grill feedback are sequentially output fromthe feedback device 1600, the user may perform a user input when theuser senses thermal pain, and the feedback device 1600 may set areference intensity of thermal grill feedback output at a time point atwhich the user input is obtained as the lowest intensity among the finalintensities.

In addition, the feedback device 1600 may set the highest intensityamong the final intensities through a user input. More specifically,when the pieces of thermal grill feedback are sequentially output fromthe feedback device 1600, the user may perform a user input when it isdifficult for the user to tolerate thermal pain, and the feedback device1600 may set a reference intensity of thermal grill feedback at a timepoint at which the user input is obtained or a reference intensity whichis one stage lower than the reference intensity of thermal grillfeedback at the time point at which the user input is obtained as thehighest intensity among the final intensities.

In addition, in another embodiment, the contact surface 1641 of the heatoutput module 1640 may be disposed in a specific region of the casing ofthe feedback device 1600, and a pressure sensor may be disposed in thespecific region or surroundings thereof. The feedback device 1600 maysequentially output pieces of thermal grill feedback according toreference intensities, and the user may keep the user's body in contactwith the specific region until the user can tolerate thermal pain.However, it may be difficult for the user to tolerate thermal pain asthe intensity of the thermal grill feedback becomes stronger, and inthis case, the user's body may be detached from the specific region.

The feedback device 1600 may detect a time point at which the user'sbody is detached from the specific region by using the pressure sensor,and the feedback device 1600 may set a reference intensity of thermalgrill feedback output at a time point at which the user's body isdetached from the specific region or a reference intensity which is onestage lower than the reference intensity of thermal grill feedback atthe time point at which the user's body is detached from the specificregion as the highest intensity among the final intensities.

In an embodiment of the present invention, in order to prevent damage tothe user's body, a critical intensity of thermal pain feedback may bepreset, and the first reference intensity to the fifth referenceintensity may be lower than the critical intensity. For example, thefeedback device 1600 may set a critical intensity of thermal grillfeedback on the basis of the highest intensity of hot feedback and/orthe highest intensity of cold feedback. In addition, as another example,the feedback device 1600 may set an intensity of thermal grill feedbackat which a temperature difference between hot heat and cold heat outputfor thermal grill feedback at a specific intensity becomes apredetermined temperature difference as the critical intensity. Inaddition, the critical intensity may also be determined on the basis ofthe critical temperature T_(Hdmg) of hot feedback and/or the criticaltemperature T_(Cdmg) of cold feedback. Of course, the critical intensitymay also be set using various other methods.

In an embodiment, the feedback device 1600 may determine whether thefirst reference intensity to the fifth reference intensity are less thanor equal to the critical intensity, and when some of the first referenceintensity to the fifth reference intensity are higher than the criticalintensity, the feedback device 1600 may not output thermal grillfeedback at such reference intensities.

In addition, the feedback device 1600 may set at least one intermediateintensity among the final intensities through a user input.

More specifically, the user may perform a user input every timedifferent degrees of thermal pain are sensed. For example, when piecesof thermal grill feedback are sequentially output from the feedbackdevice 1600, the user may perform a user input every time thermal paindue to thermal grill feedback becomes stronger, and the feedback device1600 may set reference intensities at time points at which the userinputs are obtained as intermediate intensities of thermal grillfeedback.

In a specific embodiment of the present invention, while pieces ofthermal grill feedback at the first reference intensity to the fifthreference intensity are output sequentially from the feedback device1600, when user inputs are obtained during the output at the secondreference intensity, the output at the third reference intensity, andthe output at the fourth reference intensity, the feedback device 1600may set the second reference intensity as the lowest intensity of thefinal intensities, set the fourth reference intensity as the highestintensity of the final intensities, and set the third referenceintensity as an intermediate intensity of the final intensities.Accordingly, the three levels of final intensities may be set as shownin FIG. 42 .

In addition, in another embodiment of the present invention, thefeedback device 1600 may set at least one intermediate intensity byusing the lowest intensity and the highest intensity among the finalintensities without using a user input.

For example, the feedback device 1600 may obtain the lowest intensityand the highest intensity among the final intensities through a userinput. The feedback device 1600 may set at least one reference intensitywhich exists between a reference intensity corresponding to the lowestintensity and a reference intensity corresponding to the highestintensity as the at least one intermediate intensity.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600may set the final intensities by adjusting temperatures (or voltagevalues) of the reference intensities.

FIG. 43 is a table related to voltages for providing thermal grillfeedback based on specific intensities according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. Here, the specific intensities may refer tointensities of thermal grill feedback when temperatures of the contactsurface 1641 according to thermal grill feedback at specific intensitiesor voltage values applied to a thermoelectric couple group for thermalgrill feedback at specific intensities are adjusted.

Although FIG. 43 only shows specific intensities related to the firstreference intensity, specific intensities applicable to other referenceintensities (for example, the second reference intensity to the fifthreference intensity) may also be set.

In FIG. 43 , a first-first intensity to a first-ninth intensity mayindicate specific intensities of the first reference intensity. At thefirst-first intensity, V_(H-1) may be applied to the firstthermoelectric couple group and V_(C-2) may be applied to the secondthermoelectric couple group as with the first reference intensity.However, at the first-second intensity to the first-ninth intensity,voltage values applied to the first thermoelectric couple group and thesecond thermoelectric couple group may be changed, and as a result,temperatures in the first thermoelectric couple group and the secondthermoelectric couple group may be changed. For example, 1.1V_(H-1) maybe applied to the first thermoelectric couple group and 0.9V_(C-2) maybe applied to the second thermoelectric couple group at the first-sixthintensity, and 0.9V_(H-1) may be applied to the first thermoelectriccouple group and 1.1V_(C-2) may be applied to the second thermoelectriccouple group at the first-eighth intensity. Here, coefficients such as1.1 and 0.9 in front of voltage values do not only refer to ratios suchas 1.1 times and 0.9 times the voltage values. The coefficients indicatean increase or decrease of the voltage values. 1.1V_(H-n) indicates thatthe voltage value is higher than V_(H-n), and 0.9V_(H-n) indicates thatthe voltage value is lower than V_(H-n). In addition, a value of adifference between 1.1V_(H-n) and V_(H-n) or a value of a differencebetween 0.9V_(H-n) and V_(H-n) may be preset or determined according toa value of V_(H-n) (or a value of V_(C-n)).

In an embodiment, the feedback device 1600 may output thermal grillfeedback of at least one intensity among the first-second intensity tothe first-ninth intensity. For example, the feedback device 1600 maysequentially output pieces of thermal grill feedback at the first-firstintensity to the first-ninth intensity. In addition, for example, thefeedback device 1600 may output pieces of thermal grill feedback at thefirst-sixth intensity and the first-eighth intensity at which atemperature difference between hot heat and cold heat in the thermalgrill feedback at the first-first intensity may be maintained.

The feedback device 1600 may receive a user input for any one intensityamong the one or more output intensities, and in this case, the feedbackdevice 1600 may determine selected intensities as final intensities.

For example, the feedback device 1600 may output specific intensities atthe first reference intensity to the fifth reference intensity for eachof the first reference intensity to the fifth reference intensity andmay receive selections on specific intensities for each of the firstreference intensity to the fifth reference intensity through userinputs. In this case, the feedback device 1600 may set a specificintensity selected through a user input among the specific intensitiesof the first reference intensity as the lowest intensity among the finalintensities, set a specific intensity selected through a user inputamong the specific intensities of the fifth reference intensity as thehighest intensity among the final intensities, and set specificintensities selected through user inputs among the specific intensitiesof the second reference intensity to the fourth reference intensity asintermediate intensities among the final intensities.

In addition, the feedback device 1600 may adjust temperature values ofpreset final intensities to adjust the final intensities. Specifically,the feedback device 1600 may set specific intensities for the presetfinal intensities. The feedback device 1600 may output pieces of thermalgrill feedback at the specific intensities, receive selections onparticular specific intensities among the specific intensities throughuser inputs, and adjust the final intensities to the particular specificintensities.

For example, the feedback device 1600 may set the lowest intensity, theintermediate intensities, and the highest intensity by receivingselections on final intensities suitable for the user among thereference intensities through user inputs. In this case, the feedbackdevice 1600 may set a plurality of specific intensities for the lowestintensity, the intermediate intensities, and the highest intensity byadjusting temperatures or voltage values of the lowest intensity, theintermediate intensities, and the highest intensity and may output theset plurality of specific intensities. For example, the feedback device1600 may output nine specific intensities for each of the lowestintensity, the intermediate intensities, and the highest intensity. Thefeedback device 1600 may receive selections on a particular specificintensity of the lowest intensity, particular specific intensities ofthe intermediate intensities, and a particular specific intensity of thehighest intensity through user inputs and may set the selected specificintensities as the lowest intensity, the intermediate intensities, andthe highest intensity of the final intensities.

1.3.2.2. Calibration According to Region Adjustment

The feedback device 1600 may perform calibration of thermal grillfeedback by using a region adjustment method.

It has been described above that the feedback device 1600 may perform athermal grill operation by using the region adjustment method. Thefeedback device 1600 may output thermal grill feedback by adjustingareas of thermoelectric couple groups 1644 to which a forward voltage isapplied and areas of thermoelectric couple groups 1644 to which areverse voltage is applied.

Specifically, in the thermal grill operation according to regionadjustment, a neutral ratio may refer to a ratio of an area to whichcold feedback is provided to an area to which hot feedback is provided,and a degree of thermal pain sensed by the user may be differentaccording to the neutral ratio.

In addition, even for the same neutral ratio, degrees of thermal painsensed by the user may be different due to a temperature differencebetween hot heat caused by hot feedback and cold heat caused by coldfeedback. Therefore, calibration of thermal pain feedback is alsorequired in the thermal grill operation according to region adjustment.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600 mayset reference intensities of thermal grill feedback (S13100).

First, the feedback device 1600 may set a neutral ratio for output ofthermal grill feedback.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600 mayobtain a user input for the neutral ratio.

FIG. 44 is a table related to voltages for providing thermal grillfeedback based on neutral ratios and application times of the voltageaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 44 , the feedback device 1600 may output thermal grillfeedback according to neutral ratios. For example, when a neutral ratiois 2, the feedback device 1600 may set an area ratio between athermoelectric couple group performing an exothermic operation and athermoelectric couple group performing an endothermic operation to aratio of 1:2 and may output thermal grill feedback according to the arearatio. In addition, when a neutral ratio is n, an area ratio between athermoelectric couple group performing an exothermic operation and athermoelectric couple group performing an endothermic operation may beset to a ratio of 1:n.

In an embodiment, the feedback device 1600 may output thermal painfeedback in order from a low neutral ratio to a high neutral ratio. Ofcourse, the feedback device 1600 may also output thermal pain feedbackin order from a high neutral ratio to a low neutral ratio. In addition,the feedback device 1600 may obtain a user input for any one neutralratio among the plurality of neutral ratios. The feedback device 1600may set a neutral ratio selected through a user input as a neutral ratiofor thermal grill feedback.

Of course, the neutral ratio may be preset by the feedback device 1600.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the feedbackdevice 1600 may set reference intensities of thermal grill feedback byusing set neutral ratios (preset neutral ratios or neutral ratios set onthe basis of user inputs) and resulting values of intensity calibrationof hot feedback and cold feedback

FIG. 45 is a table related to voltages for providing thermal grillfeedback based on reference intensities according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 45 , V_(H-1), V_(H-2), V_(H-3), V_(H-4), and V_(H-5)indicate voltages applied to a thermoelectric couple group during outputof pieces of hot feedback of a first level to a fifth level, andV_(C-1), V_(C-2), V_(C-3), V_(C-4), and V_(C-5) indicate voltagesapplied to a thermoelectric couple group during output of pieces of coldfeedback of a first level, a second level, a third level, a fourthlevel, and a fifth level.

In an embodiment, the feedback device 1600 may apply voltagescorresponding to hot feedback/cold feedback of the same level for eachreference intensity. Of course, the feedback device 1600 may also applyvoltages corresponding to hot feedback/cold feedback of different levelsfor each reference intensity.

As reference intensities become higher, magnitudes of voltages appliedto the thermoelectric couple group performing an exothermic operationand the thermoelectric couple group performing an endothermic operationmay become higher, and accordingly, intensities of thermal grillfeedback may become stronger. Accordingly, in the example of FIG. 45 , afirst reference intensity may become the lowest reference intensity ofthermal grill feedback, a fourth reference intensity may become thehighest reference intensity of thermal grill feedback, and a secondreference intensity and a third reference intensity may becomeintermediate reference intensities of thermal grill feedback. Sincedescription given above in relation to step S13100 of the calibrationaccording to voltage adjustment may be applied to the setting ofreference intensities, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the feedbackdevice 1600 may set final intensities on the basis of the referenceintensities (S13200).

As described above in relation to step S13200 of the calibrationaccording to voltage adjustment, in an embodiment of the presentinvention, the feedback device 1600 may sequentially output pieces ofthermal grill feedback at a first reference intensity to a fifthreference intensity and may receive selections on final intensitiessuitable for the user among the output reference intensities throughuser inputs.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the feedbackdevice 1600 may set the final intensities by adjusting temperatures (orvoltage values) of the reference intensities. FIG. 46 is a table relatedto voltages for providing thermal grill feedback based on specificintensities according to an embodiment of the present invention.Referring to FIG. 46 , the feedback device 1600 may output one or morespecific intensities as in FIG. 46 , receive selections on one or morespecific intensities among the output specific intensities through userinputs, and set final intensities on the basis of the selected specificintensities. Since description given above in relation to step S13200 ofthe calibration according to voltage adjustment may be applied to stepS13200 of the calibration according to region adjustment, detaileddescription thereof will be omitted.

1.3.2.3. Calibration According to Time Division

The feedback device 1600 may perform calibration of thermal grillfeedback by using a time division method.

It has been described above that the feedback device 1600 may perform athermal grill operation by using the time division method. Specifically,the feedback device 1600 may perform the thermal grill operation byperforming an exothermic operation and an endothermic operationalternately in time.

Specifically, in the thermal grill operation according to time division,a neutral ratio may refer to a ratio of a time during which a reversevoltage is applied to a time during which a forward voltage is applied,and a degree of thermal pain sensed by the user may be differentaccording to the neutral ratio.

In addition, even for the same neutral ratio, degrees of thermal painsensed by the user may be different due to a temperature differencebetween hot heat caused by hot feedback and cold heat caused by coldfeedback. Therefore, calibration of thermal pain feedback is alsorequired in the thermal grill operation according to time division.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600 mayset reference intensities of thermal grill feedback (S13100).

First, the feedback device 1600 may set a neutral ratio for output ofthermal grill feedback. In an embodiment of the present invention, thefeedback device 1600 may obtain a user input for the neutral ratio.

Referring to FIG. 44 , the feedback device 1600 may output thermal grillfeedback according to the neutral ratio. For example, when the neutralratio is n, the feedback device 1600 may set a ratio between a timeduring which a forward voltage is applied and a time during which areverse voltage is applied at a ratio of 1:n and may output thermalgrill feedback according to the time ratio.

In an embodiment, the feedback device 1600 may output thermal painfeedback in order from a low neutral ratio to a high neutral ratio. Ofcourse, the feedback device 1600 may also output thermal pain feedbackin order from a high neutral ratio to a low neutral ratio. In addition,the feedback device 1600 may obtain a user input for any one neutralratio among the plurality of neutral ratios. The feedback device 1600may set a neutral ratio selected through a user input as a neutral ratiofor thermal grill feedback.

Of course, the neutral ratio may be preset by the feedback device 1600.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the feedbackdevice 1600 may set reference intensities of thermal grill feedback byusing set neutral ratios (preset neutral ratios or neutral ratios set onthe basis of user inputs) and resulting values of intensity calibrationof hot feedback and cold feedback.

Referring to FIG. 45 , the feedback device 1600 may apply voltagescorresponding to hot feedback/cold feedback of the same level for eachreference intensity. Of course, the feedback device 1600 may also applyvoltages corresponding to hot feedback/cold feedback of different levelsfor each reference intensity.

As reference intensities become higher, magnitudes of voltages appliedto the thermoelectric couple group performing an exothermic operationand the thermoelectric couple group performing an endothermic operationmay become higher, and accordingly, intensities of thermal grillfeedback may become stronger. Accordingly, in the example of FIG. 45 , afirst reference intensity may become the lowest reference intensity ofthermal grill feedback, a fourth reference intensity may become thehighest reference intensity of thermal grill feedback, and a secondreference intensity and a third reference intensity may becomeintermediate reference intensities of thermal grill feedback. Sincedescription given above in relation to step S13100 of the calibrationaccording to voltage adjustment may be applied to the setting ofreference intensities, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the feedbackdevice 1600 may set final intensities on the basis of the referenceintensities (S13200).

As described above in relation to step S13200 of the calibrationaccording to voltage adjustment, in an embodiment of the presentinvention, the feedback device 1600 may sequentially output pieces ofthermal grill feedback at a first reference intensity to a fifthreference intensity and may receive selections on final intensitiessuitable for the user among the output reference intensities throughuser inputs.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the feedbackdevice 1600 may set the final intensities by adjusting temperatures (orvoltage values) of the reference intensities. For example, the feedbackdevice 1600 may output one or more specific intensities as in FIG. 46 ,receive selections on one or more specific intensities among the outputspecific intensities through user inputs, and set final intensities onthe basis of the selected specific intensities. Since description givenabove in relation to step S13200 of the calibration according to voltageadjustment may be applied to step S13200 of the calibration according totime division, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

1.3.3. Checking Result of Intensity Calibration

FIG. 47 is a flowchart related to a method of checking a result ofintensity calibration according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 47 , the feedback device 1600 may check results of thecalibration in step S12600 and/or step S12700.

Specifically, the feedback device 1600 may output pieces of thermalfeedback at intensities set in step S12600 and/or step S12700 (S13910).

In an embodiment of the present invention, in the cases of hot feedbackand cold feedback, the feedback device 1600 may output hot feedback andcold feedback at the lowest intensity, the highest intensity, and atleast one intermediate intensity.

For example, the feedback device 1600 may output hot feedback and coldfeedback in order from the lowest intensity to the highest intensity ormay only output hot feedback and cold feedback of at least oneintermediate intensity.

In addition, in another embodiment of the present invention, in the caseof thermal grill feedback, the feedback device 1600 may output pieces ofthermal grill feedback at the lowest intensity, the highest intensity,and at least one intermediate intensity among final intensities.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the feedbackdevice 1600 may obtain a result of perceiving thermal feedback output instep S13910 through a user input (S13920).

Specifically, when hot feedback/cold feedback/thermal grill feedback atthe lowest intensity is output in step S13910, the feedback device 1600may receive confirmation on whether the hot feedback/coldfeedback/thermal grill feedback is sensed through a user input. Forexample, when hot feedback at the lowest intensity is output, the usermay check whether hotness is sensed and perform a user input whenhotness is sensed (or hotness is not sensed), and the feedback device1600 may obtain the user input.

As another example, when hot feedback/cold feedback/thermal grillfeedback at the highest intensity is output, the feedback device 1600may check, through a user input, whether the hot feedback/coldfeedback/thermal grill feedback is too strong. For example, when thermalgrill feedback at the highest intensity is output, the user may checkwhether thermal pain is too strong and perform a user input when thethermal pain is too strong (or the thermal pain is at a tolerablelevel), and the feedback device 1600 may obtain the user input.

As still another example, when hot feedback/cold feedback/thermal grillfeedback of at least one intermediate intensity is output, the feedbackdevice 1600 may receive confirmation on whether one or more intermediateintensities are distinguished from each other. For example, when piecesof cold feedback at a plurality of intensities are output, the user maycheck whether the intensities of the output cold feedback aredistinguished from each other and perform a user input when theintensities of cold feedback are distinguished from each other (or whenthe intensities of cold feedback are not distinguished from each other),and the feedback device 1600 may obtain the user input.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the feedbackdevice 1600 may maintain or change the intensities set in step S12600and/or step S12700 according to the result of perceiving thermalfeedback obtained in step S13920.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600 maydetermine whether the intensities set in step S12600 and/or step S12700are suitable on the basis of the result of perceiving thermal feedbackthrough the user input. For example, when it is confirmed that the usermay perceive thermal feedback at the lowest intensity, when it isconfirmed that the user may tolerate thermal feedback at the highestintensity, or when it is confirmed that the user may distinguish one ormore intermediate intensities, the feedback device 1600 may determinethat the intensities set in step S12600 and/or step S12700 are suitable.In this case, the feedback device 1600 may maintain the intensities setin step S12600 and/or step S12700 (S13930).

As another example, when it is confirmed that the user cannot perceivethermal feedback at the lowest intensity, when it is confirmed that theuser cannot tolerate thermal feedback at the highest intensity, or whenit is confirmed that the user cannot distinguish one or moreintermediate intensities, the feedback device 1600 may determine thatthe intensities set in step S12600 and/or step S12700 are not suitable.In this case, the feedback device 1600 may reset intensities of thermalfeedback by re-performing step S12600 and/or step S12700 (S13940) or maychange the intensities of thermal feedback to predetermined basicsettings regardless of steps S12600 and S12700 (S13950).

1.4. Region Calibration

In an embodiment of the present invention, calibration may also beperformed for regions of thermal feedback. As described above, when, forexample, the thermoelectric couple array 1643 includes a plurality ofthermoelectric couple groups, the feedback controller 1648 may controloutput of thermal feedback separately for each of the plurality ofthermoelectric couple groups. In this case, depending on the user, theuser may want the first thermoelectric couple group 1644-1 and thesecond thermoelectric couple group 1644-2 to output thermal feedbackseparately or want the first thermoelectric couple group 1644-1 and thesecond thermoelectric couple group 1644-2 to output thermal feedbackidentically like a single thermoelectric couple group. In addition, theuser may want at least one of a plurality of thermoelectric couplegroups to not output thermal feedback. In order to satisfy such userneeds, calibration of regions of thermal feedback, that is, resolutionsof thermal feedback, of the feedback device may be performed.

FIG. 48 is a flowchart related to a method for calibration of regions ofthermal feedback according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The region calibration method according to FIG. 48 may include checkinga plurality of thermoelectric couple groups for output of thermalfeedback (S14010) and performing calibration of the plurality ofthermoelectric couple groups (S14020).

Hereinafter, each of the above-mentioned steps will be described in moredetail.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600 maycheck a plurality of thermoelectric couple groups (S14010).

As described above, the thermoelectric couple array 1643 of the heatoutput module 1640 has a plurality of thermoelectric couple groups 1644,and separate control for each thermoelectric couple group 1644 ispossible since each thermoelectric couple group 1644 is connected toeach power terminal 1647.

Referring to the example of FIG. 15 , the thermoelectric couple array1643 may include five thermoelectric couple groups 1644-1, 1644-2,1644-3, 1644-4, and 1644-5, and separate control may be possible foreach of the thermoelectric couple groups 1644-1, 1644-2, 1644-3, 1644-4,and 1644-5. The feedback device 1600 may check the plurality ofthermoelectric couple groups 1644 and whether separate control ispossible for each of the plurality of thermoelectric couple groups 1644.Hereinafter, description will be given by assuming that separate controlis possible for the plurality of thermoelectric couple groups 1644.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the feedbackdevice 1600 may perform calibration of the plurality of thermoelectriccouple groups (S14020).

Specifically, in an embodiment of the present invention, the feedbackdevice 1600 may set identical thermoelectric feedback output regionswhich indicate thermoelectric couple groups to which the same voltage isapplied among the plurality of thermoelectric couple groups.

Although, as described above, the feedback device 1600 may performseparate control for each of the plurality of thermoelectric couplegroups 1644, according to circumstances, some of the plurality ofthermoelectric couple groups 1644 may have to output thermal feedbacklike a single thermoelectric couple group. For example, although tenthermoelectric couple groups are included in the feedback device 1600,and the feedback device 1600 may perform separate control for each ofthe ten thermoelectric couple groups, depending on characteristics ofthe user, the user may desire for each set of five thermoelectric couplegroups or all of the ten thermoelectric couple groups to output thermalfeedback identically like a single thermoelectric couple group. In orderto satisfy such user needs, the feedback device 1600 may set identicalthermoelectric feedback output regions for the plurality ofthermoelectric couple groups.

FIG. 49 is a table for describing settings of identical thermoelectricfeedback output regions according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 49 , the thermoelectric couple array 1643 of thefeedback device 1600 may include ten thermoelectric couple groups 1644.In FIG. 49 , the letters a to j may indicate identical thermoelectricfeedback output regions.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600 mayset the number of identical thermoelectric feedback output regions. Forexample, the feedback device 1600 may obtain the number of identicalthermoelectric feedback output regions through a user input. Inaddition, as another example, the feedback device 1600 may obtain thenumber of identical thermoelectric feedback output regions from thecontent reproduction device 1200, or the number of identicalthermoelectric feedback output regions may also be pre-stored in thefeedback device 1600.

The feedback device 1600 may set identical thermoelectric feedbackoutput regions for the plurality of thermoelectric couple groupsaccording to the set number of identical thermoelectric feedback outputregions. For example, when, as shown in FIG. 49 , the number ofidentical thermoelectric feedback output regions is set to ten, thefeedback device 1600 may set the plurality of thermoelectric couplegroups as different identical thermoelectric feedback output regions. Inaddition, when the number of identical thermoelectric feedback outputregions is set to three, the feedback device 1600 may set a firstthermoelectric couple group to a third thermoelectric couple group as afirst identical thermoelectric feedback output region, set a fourththermoelectric couple group to a sixth thermoelectric couple group as asecond identical thermoelectric feedback output region, and set aseventh thermoelectric couple group to a tenth thermoelectric couplegroup as a third identical thermoelectric feedback output region. Inaddition, when the number of identical thermoelectric feedback outputregions is set to one, the feedback device 1600 may set all of theplurality of thermoelectric couple groups as a single identicalthermoelectric feedback output region.

The same voltage may be applied to thermoelectric couple groups whichcorrespond to an identical thermoelectric feedback output region. Forexample, when the number of identical thermoelectric feedback outputregions is set to two, at a first time point, the same forward voltagemay be applied to the first thermoelectric couple group to the fifththermoelectric couple group, and the same reverse voltage may be appliedto the sixth thermoelectric couple group to the tenth thermoelectriccouple group.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600 mayset inactive regions which indicate thermoelectric couple groups towhich a voltage is not applied among the plurality of thermoelectriccouple groups.

As described above, the user may want at least one of the plurality ofthermoelectric couple groups to not output thermal feedback. In order tosatisfy such user need, the feedback device 1600 may set inactiveregions for the plurality of thermoelectric couple groups.

FIG. 50 is a table for describing settings of inactive regions accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 50, 0 may indicateregions to which a voltage is applied among thermoelectric couplegroups, and X may indicate inactive regions to which a voltage is notapplied among the thermoelectric couple groups.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600 mayset the number of inactive regions. For example, the feedback device1600 may obtain the number of inactive regions through a user input. Inaddition, as another example, the feedback device 1600 may obtain thenumber of inactive regions from the content reproduction device 1200, orthe number of inactive regions may also be pre-stored in the feedbackdevice 1600.

The feedback device 1600 may set inactive regions for the plurality ofthermoelectric couple groups according to the set number of inactiveregions. For example, when, as shown in FIG. 50 , the number of inactiveregions is set to two, the feedback device 1600 may set twothermoelectric couple groups among the plurality of thermoelectriccouple groups as inactive regions. Although the fifth thermoelectriccouple group and the tenth thermoelectric couple group are indicated asinactive regions in FIG. 50 , embodiments are not limited thereto, andwhich of the plurality of thermoelectric couple groups will be set asinactive regions may be determined using various other methods. Forexample, the feedback device 1600 may receive selections onthermoelectric couple groups which will become inactive regions throughuser inputs, or thermoelectric couple groups which will become inactiveregions may also be preset corresponding to the numbers of inactiveregions.

In addition, when the number of inactive regions is set to ten, thefeedback device 1600 may set all of the first thermoelectric couplegroup to the tenth thermoelectric couple group as inactive regions. Thisis the same as a state in which the thermal feedback output function ofthe heat output module 1640 is turned off.

A voltage for output of thermal feedback is not applied tothermoelectric couple groups which correspond to inactive regions. Forexample, when the number of inactive regions is set to six, at the firsttime point, a voltage for thermal feedback may not be applied to thethird thermoelectric couple group to the fifth thermoelectric couplegroup and the eighth thermoelectric couple group to the tenththermoelectric couple group.

1.5. Time Calibration

When linking thermal feedback to a video or sound during reproduction ofvideo content, it may be important that thermal feedback and a specificscene or sound to which the thermal feedback is attempted to be linkedare in sync. For example, when attempting to cause hot feedback to besensed during reproduction of an explosion scene, it is preferable thata video output time point of the explosion scene and an experiencingtime point of the hot feedback coincide, and otherwise, a userexperience may be degraded.

However, when the feedback controller 1645 applies power for output ofthermal feedback at an output time point of a specific scene, a timedifference may be generated between the output time point of thespecific scene and an experiencing time point of the thermal feedback.

One reason for this is that, even when power is applied to thethermoelectric couple array 1643, some amount of time is required forthe temperature of the contact surface 1641 to reach a temperature atwhich the user may experience thermal feedback. That is, since a timepoint at which power is applied and an experiencing time point at whichthe user experiences thermal feedback may not coincide, a video andthermal feedback become out of sync when an output time point of aspecific scene and a time point at which power is applied are caused tocoincide with each other. In addition, time taken for the temperature ofthe contact surface 1641 to reach the temperature at which the user mayexperience thermal feedback may not be uniform. This is because the timetaken for the temperature of the contact surface 1641 to reach thetemperature at which the user may experience thermal feedback may varyaccording to a degree of deterioration of the heat output module 1640.In addition, another reason may be that, even for the same temperature,an experienced temperature perceived by the user may be differentaccording to characteristics of the user.

Due to these various reasons, a time difference may be generated betweenthe output time point of the specific scene and the experiencing timepoint of the thermal feedback.

To solve such a problem, in the present invention, the feedback device1600 may obtain an output time point of thermal feedback from thecontent reproduction device 1200 and output the thermal feedback at theoutput time point, wherein the thermal feedback may be output on thebasis of the output time point and a correction time. Here, thecorrection time may be a time interval from a power application timepoint, at which power is applied to the thermoelectric couple array1643, to an experiencing time point, at which the temperature of thecontact surface 1641 reaches a temperature at which the user mayexperience thermal feedback. As the thermal feedback is output on thebasis of the output time point and the correction time, it is possibleto cause the user to experience the thermal feedback at the output timepoint of the specific scene.

However, the correction time may vary according to characteristics ofthe user or the heat output module 1640. That is, for the user to moresuitably experience the thermal feedback at the output time point of thespecific scene, the correction time has to be calibrated correspondingto the user or the heat output module 1640. Therefore, in the presentinvention, a method of performing calibration of the output time pointof thermal feedback, that is, a method of performing calibration of thecorrection time, will be described.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart related to a method for time calibration ofthermal feedback according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The time calibration method according to FIG. 51 may include outputtingthermal feedback (S14310), obtaining an experiencing time point at whichthe user experiences the thermal feedback (S14320), and calculating acorrection time on the basis of the experiencing time point (S14330).

Hereinafter, each of the above-mentioned steps will be described in moredetail.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600 mayoutput thermal feedback (S14310). In this case, the feedback device 1600may inform the user of an output time point of the thermal feedback. Forexample, the feedback device 1600 may output the thermal feedback at areproduction time point of a thermal event. In addition, even regardlessof the reproduction time point of the thermal feedback, the feedbackdevice 1600 may provide a video signal and/or an audio signal includinginformation, which indicates that thermal feedback is output, to theaudiovisual device 1400 to inform the user of the reproduction timepoint of the thermal feedback.

In addition, the feedback device 1600 may obtain the experiencing timepoint of the thermal feedback (S14320). In an embodiment, the feedbackdevice 1600 may obtain the experiencing time point through a user input.The user may perform a user input when the user senses warmth, and thefeedback device 1600 may obtain the user input.

In addition, the feedback device 1600 may calculate a correction time onthe basis of the experiencing time point.

FIG. 52 is a view for describing calculation of a correction timeaccording to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 52A, the feedback device 1600 may check an output timepoint of thermal feedback and obtain an experiencing time point througha user input. The feedback device 1600 may calculate a time between theexperiencing time point and the output time point of the thermalfeedback as a correction time.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the correction time maybe set to be different for each type of thermal feedback, for eachintensity of thermal feedback, or for each type and intensity of thermalfeedback. In this case, the feedback device 1600 may obtain a correctiontime for each type of thermal feedback, for each intensity of thermalfeedback, or for each type and intensity of thermal feedback byperforming steps S14310 to S14330 for each type of thermal feedback, foreach intensity of thermal feedback, or for each type and intensity ofthermal feedback.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the feedback device 1600 mayoutput thermal feedback by reflecting a correction time. Specifically,as shown in FIG. 52B, the feedback device 1600 may output thermalfeedback at a time point which is earlier than a thermal eventreproduction time point or a preset thermal feedback output time pointby the correction time. Accordingly, the user may experience the thermalfeedback at the thermal event reproduction time point, and since thethermal event reproduction time point coincides with the time point atwhich the user experiences the thermal feedback, the user experience maybe improved.

III. Thermal Feedback Control System

1. Thermal Feedback Control System

Hereinafter, a thermal feedback control system 22000 according to anembodiment of the present invention will be described.

1.1. Outline of Thermal Feedback Control System

The thermal feedback control system 22000 according to an embodiment ofthe present invention is a system controlling information related tothermal feedback between the content reproduction device 1200 and thefeedback device 1600 so that thermal feedback is appropriately outputfrom the feedback device 1600. The thermal feedback control system 22000may be included in the thermal experience providing system 1000.

As described above, the content reproduction device 1200 providesthermal feedback data to the feedback device 1600, and the feedbackdevice 1600 outputs thermal feedback by performing a thermoelectricoperation according to the thermal feedback data. However, thermalfeedback data from the content reproduction device 1200 may not beunderstandable in some cases. For example, when manufacturers of thecontent reproduction device 1200 and the feedback device 1600 aredifferent or when languages and operating systems thereof are different,there may be no compatibility between an instruction used in the contentreproduction device 1200 and an instruction used in the feedback device1600. In this case, since the feedback device 1600 is unable tointerpret thermal feedback from the content reproduction device 1200,the feedback device 1600 is unable to appropriately output thermalfeedback of a type intended by the content reproduction device 1200 at atime point and an intensity intended by the content reproduction device1200.

To solve such a problem, the thermal feedback control system 22000according to the present invention will be described herein. Accordingto the thermal feedback control system 22000, compatibility betweeninstructions of the content reproduction device 1200 and the feedbackdevice 1600 may be improved, and accordingly, thermal feedback may beoutput from the feedback device 1600 according to thermal feedback dataprovided from the content reproduction device 1200.

1.2. Configuration of Thermal Feedback Control System

FIG. 53 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a thermalfeedback control system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 53 , the thermal feedback control system 22000 mayinclude a thermal feedback data output unit 22100, a heat output unit22200, and a control unit 22300.

The thermal feedback data output unit 22100 may obtain thermal feedbackdata and provide the thermal feedback data to the control unit 22300.Here, the thermal feedback data may include information related tothermal feedback, that is, thermal feedback information. For example,the thermal feedback information may include information on a target ofthermal feedback, a type of thermal feedback, an intensity of thermalfeedback, and an experiencing time point of thermal feedback.

In addition, the thermal feedback data may be configured with a formatand/or an instruction understandable by the thermal feedback data outputunit 22100.

In addition, in some embodiments of the present invention, the thermalfeedback data output unit 22100 may be implemented in a form included inthe content reproduction device 1200. As a specific embodiment, thethermal feedback data output unit 22100 may be implemented in a formincluded in the controller 1260. In addition, the thermal feedback dataoutput unit 22100 may be implemented in a form included in anapplication capable of reproducing multimedia content.

However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the thermal feedbackdata output unit 22100 may be implemented in a form included in anydevice capable of obtaining and providing thermal feedback data. Forexample, the thermal feedback data output unit 22100 may be implementedin a form included in the feedback device 1600, the audiovisual device1400, or another external device.

In addition, the heat output unit 22200 may obtain thermal feedbackcontrol data and provide thermal feedback according to the thermalfeedback control data. Here, the thermal feedback control data may referto data in which information related to thermal feedback is configuredwith a format and/or an instruction understandable by the heat outputunit 22200 (hereinafter, an understandable format).

In addition, in some embodiments of the present invention, the heatoutput unit 22200 may be implemented in a form included in the feedbackdevice 1600. In this case, the format of the thermal feedback controldata may be the same as or different from the format of the thermalfeedback data.

As a specific embodiment, the heat output unit 22200 may be implementedin a form included in the feedback controller 1648. However, embodimentsare not limited thereto, and the heat output unit 22200 may beimplemented in a form included in any device capable of obtainingthermal feedback control data and providing thermal feedback accordingto the thermal feedback control data.

In addition, the control unit 22300 may obtain thermal feedback data,generate thermal feedback control data on the basis of the thermalfeedback data, and provide the thermal feedback control data.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the format of the thermalfeedback control data may be different from the format of the thermalfeedback data. In this case, even when the thermal feedback data isprovided to a heat output module 2300, the heat output module 2300 mayfail to interpret the thermal feedback data. The control unit 22300 mayconvert the thermal feedback data to the thermal feedback control dataso that the heat output module 2300 may output thermal feedbackaccording to thermal feedback information included in the thermalfeedback data.

In addition, in some embodiments of the present invention, the controlunit 22300 may be implemented in a form included in the feedback device1600, the audiovisual device 1400, or the content reproduction device1200.

In addition, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the control unit22300 may be implemented in a form included in any device capable ofproviding thermal feedback control data on the basis of thermal feedbackdata.

Hereinafter, each element of the thermal feedback control system 22000will be described in more detail.

1.2.1. Thermal Feedback Data Output Unit

FIG. 54 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a thermalfeedback data output unit according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 54 , the thermal feedback data output unit 22100 mayinclude a thermal feedback data obtainer 22110 and a thermal feedbackdata provider 22120.

The thermal feedback data obtainer 22110 may obtain thermal feedbackdata. The thermal feedback data includes thermal feedback information,and the thermal feedback information will be described in detail usingFIGS. 55 and 56 .

In an embodiment of the present invention, the thermal feedback dataobtainer 22110 may generate thermal feedback data. As a specificembodiment, when a thermal event occurs and thermal feedback informationcorresponding to the thermal event is determined, the thermal feedbackdata obtainer 22110 may generate thermal feedback data according to thethermal feedback information. Here, the thermal event may refer to aspecific event of which a user experience is improved by linkage withthermal feedback. For example, when content is game content, and aspecific thermal event has occurred in the game content (for example,when a character in the game content has reached a specific location),the thermal feedback data obtainer 22110 may determine specific thermalfeedback information corresponding to the specific thermal event. Forexample, for every thermal event, a table in which thermal feedbackinformation on the corresponding thermal event is designated may bestored, and the thermal feedback data obtainer 22110 may determine thespecific thermal feedback information on the basis of the table. Asanother example, an algorithm for calculating thermal feedbackinformation related to the corresponding thermal event may be stored. Inthis case, the thermal feedback data obtainer 22110 may determine asituation of the specific thermal event (a moving speed of thecharacter, heat resistance of the character, and the like) on the basisof the algorithm and may determine the specific thermal feedbackinformation on the basis of a result of the determination. In addition,the thermal feedback data obtainer 22110 may generate thermal feedbackdata on the basis of the specific thermal feedback information.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a data format (orinstruction) of thermal feedback data may be standardized. In this case,according to the standardized data format, the thermal feedback data mayalso be understood by units and/or devices other than the thermalfeedback data output unit 22100. The standardized data format may bestored in the thermal feedback data output unit 22100 or a device (forexample, the memory 1240) accessible by the thermal feedback data outputunit 22100. The thermal feedback data obtainer 22110 may obtain apredesignated data format and generate thermal feedback data accordingto the predesignated data format by using thermal feedback information.

In addition, in another embodiment of the present invention, the dataformat (or instruction) of the thermal feedback data may be diverseinstead of being standardized. In this case, according to the diversedata formats, thermal feedback data generated on the basis of a specificdata format is not understandable by other units and/or devices whichare unable to understand the specific data format. Of course, unitsand/or devices capable of understanding the specific data format mayunderstand the thermal feedback data. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, the thermal feedback data obtainer 22110 generates thermalfeedback data by calling for a thermal feedback data generating functionfor generating thermal feedback data (that is, a function includinginformation on the specific data format (or specific data instruction).Specifically, the thermal feedback data obtainer 22110 may access alibrary including a plurality of thermal feedback data generatingfunctions, obtain information on a specific data format from thelibrary, and generate thermal feedback data on the basis of theinformation on the specific data format. For example, a thermal feedbackdata generating function may be added to the library, and accordingly,the thermal feedback data obtainer 22110 may use the added thermalfeedback data generating function to generate thermal feedback datahaving a new data format. In addition, in an embodiment, the thermalfeedback data obtainer 22110 may call for an application programminginterface (API) for accessing the thermal feedback data generatingfunction (or an API for generating thermal feedback data) and access thelibrary through the API to obtain information on the specific dataformat.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the thermalfeedback data obtainer 22110 may receive thermal feedback data from theoutside. For example, when multimedia content is video content, thethermal feedback data obtainer 22110 may receive thermal feedback datacorresponding to the corresponding video content from an externaldevice. In this case, the received thermal feedback data may have a dataformat understandable by the thermal feedback data obtainer 22110.

In addition, in an embodiment of the present invention, the thermalfeedback data obtainer 22110 may obtain thermal feedback data at varioustime points. For example, when a thermal event occurs in real time inmultimedia content, the thermal feedback data obtainer 22110 may obtainthermal feedback data in real time every time the thermal event occurs.As another example, the thermal feedback data obtainer 22110 may obtainthermal feedback data according to a predetermined cycle. For example,the thermal feedback data obtainer 22110 may periodically receivethermal feedback data from an external device.

As still another example, the thermal feedback data obtainer 22110 mayobtain thermal feedback data one time while multimedia content is beingreproduced. For example, when the multimedia content is video content,the thermal feedback data obtainer 22110 may obtain a piece of thermalevent data including a plurality of pieces of thermal feedbackinformation corresponding to a plurality of thermal events that occur inthe video content.

In addition, the thermal feedback data provider 22120 may providethermal feedback data to the control unit 22300. In this case, thethermal feedback data provider 22120 may provide thermal feedback atvarious cycles. For example, the thermal feedback data provider 22120may provide thermal feedback data in real time to the thermal feedbackdata provider 22120 every time thermal feedback data is obtained by thethermal feedback data obtainer 22110, may provide thermal feedback dataaccording to a predetermined cycle even when thermal feedback data isgenerated by the thermal feedback data provider 22120, or may providethermal feedback data every time a request is received from the controlunit 22300.

1.2.1.1. Thermal Feedback Data

Hereinafter, thermal feedback data obtained by the thermal feedback dataoutput unit 22100 will be described.

Although, for convenience of description, thermal feedback data will bedescribed mainly on the basis of embodiments of FIGS. 55 and 56 herein,the thermal feedback data is not solely configured by the embodiments ofFIGS. 55 and 56 and may also be configured by combining pieces ofthermal feedback information, which will be described below, in variousways. For example, thermal feedback data may include pieces ofinformation on a mode of thermal feedback, a target of thermal feedback,and an intensity of thermal feedback. Since combining the pieces ofinformation is self-evident to those of ordinary skill in the art,description thereof will be omitted.

FIGS. 55 and 56 are views for describing thermal feedback informationaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 55 , thermal feedback data may include, as thermalfeedback information, pieces of information on a target of thermalfeedback, a type of thermal feedback, an intensity of thermal feedback,and a time point at which thermal feedback is provided.

Here, the target of thermal feedback may refer to a target to which thethermal feedback will be applied. For example, a target of thermalfeedback may indicate a target on which thermal feedback will beperformed when a plurality of feedback devices 1600 are used in thethermal experience providing system 1000, when a plurality of heatoutput modules 1640 are present in the feedback device 1600, or wheneach thermoelectric couple group 1644 is separately controlled and thusthe heat output module 1640 is controlled for each region.

Specifically, when a plurality of feedback devices 1600 are used in thethermal experience providing system 1000, thermal feedback data mayinclude identification information on the feedback devices 1600. Forexample, the identification information on the feedback devices 1600 maybe information on, in a VR system using two bar type gaming controllers,through which gaming controller thermal feedback will be output.

In addition, when thermal feedback is output for each region from asingle feedback device 1600, thermal feedback data may includeinformation on an output region to which the thermal feedback is output.For example, when a thermoelectric element of the feedback device 1600is provided as the thermoelectric couple array 1643 including aplurality of thermoelectric couple groups 1644, which are separatelycontrollable, in the thermal experience providing system 1000, thethermal feedback data may include identification information on the heatoutput module 1640 which will output thermal feedback and identificationinformation on the thermoelectric couple array 1643 or thethermoelectric couple group 1644 to which thermal feedback will beoutput.

In addition, the type of thermal feedback may refer to a type of thermalfeedback. For example, types of thermal feedback may include hotfeedback, cold feedback, and thermal grill feedback. Also, the thermalgrill feedback may include neutral thermal grill feedback, hot thermalgrill feedback, and cold thermal grill feedback.

In addition, the intensity of thermal feedback may refer to a strengthof thermal feedback. According to circumstances, information on anintensity of thermal feedback may include information on a type ofthermal feedback. For example, intensities of thermal feedback may beclassified into first to twelfth levels, cold feedback may be assignedto the first to fourth levels, hot feedback may be assigned to the fifthto eighth levels, and thermal grill feedback may be assigned to theninth to twelfth levels. In addition, as another example, intensities ofthermal feedback may be classified for each type of thermal feedback.For example, intensities of thermal feedback may be classified intofirst to fifth levels for hot feedback and classified into first tofifth levels for cold feedback.

In addition, a thermal feedback providing time may refer to time atwhich thermal feedback is provided. The thermal feedback providing timemay include a start time, an end time, a time duration, and the like ofthermal feedback output.

Referring to FIG. 56 , thermal feedback data may include, as thermalfeedback information, pieces of information on a thermal feedback mode,a type of thermal feedback, and a thermal feedback providing time.

Here, the mode of thermal feedback relates to a method in which thermalfeedback is output. Specifically, the mode of thermal feedback, whichrelates to a method in which thermal feedback is output, may include asimple output mode and a heat transfer operation mode.

The simple output mode refers to a heat output mode in which, whenthermal feedback is output from a plurality of output regions, pieces ofthermal feedback output from the plurality of output regions have norelation to each other in a thermal experience of the user. That is,thermal feedback output from a specific output region may have norelation to thermal feedback output from another output region.

On the other hand, the heat transfer operation mode refers to a heatoutput mode in the case of an operation in which heat is transferredfrom a plurality of output regions. In this case, for the heat transferoperation, thermal feedback output from a specific output region may berelated to thermal feedback output from another output region.

In addition, the heat transfer operation mode may include pieces ofinformation on a type and a direction of a heat transfer operation.Types of the heat transfer operation may include a first heat transferoperation (see FIGS. 26 to 29 ) in which pieces of thermal feedback aresequentially output from output regions, wherein output of thermalfeedback from a previous output region ends after a predetermined amountof time from a time point at which output of thermal feedback startsfrom a specific output region, a second heat transfer operation (seeFIGS. 30 and 31 ) in which pieces of thermal feedback are sequentiallyoutput from output regions, wherein output of thermal feedback from eachoutput region simultaneously ends, and a third heat transfer operation(see FIGS. 32 and 33 ) in which output of thermal feedback from eachoutput region simultaneously starts, wherein the outputs of pieces ofthermal feedback from the output regions sequentially end. Of course,any other pieces of thermal feedback in which thermal feedback outputfrom a specific output region is related to thermal feedback output fromanother output region may be included in a heat transfer operation.

In addition, as types of the heat transfer operation, specific types ofeach heat transfer operation may be included. For example, types of theheat transfer operation and pieces of intensity information may becombined in the specific types. For example, a first-first specific typeof the first heat transfer operation in which pieces of thermal feedbackare sequentially output from output regions may be set such that anintensity is a high level in an output region from which thermalfeedback is output firstly and an intensity is a low level in an outputregion from which thermal feedback is output lastly, and a first-secondspecific type may be set such that an intensity is a low level in anoutput region from which thermal feedback is output firstly and anintensity is a high level in an output region from which thermalfeedback is output lastly.

In addition, a mode of a heat transfer operation may include directioninformation on the heat transfer operation. For example, directioninformation on a heat transfer operation may include information on adirection in which the heat transfer operation begins and a direction inwhich the heat transfer operation ends. For example, directioninformation on a heat transfer operation may include a first/seconddirection in which a heat transfer operation is performed in order froman output region disposed at the left/right to an output region disposedat the right/left and a third/fourth direction in which a heat transferoperation is performed in order from an output region disposed at thetop/bottom to an output region disposed at the bottom/top. The directioninformation on the heat transfer operation is not limited thereto andmay include any other pieces of information related to directions of aheat transfer operation.

In addition, the description given above with reference to FIG. 55 maybe applied as it is to pieces of information on types of thermalfeedback and thermal feedback providing times.

1.2.2. Heat Output Unit

FIG. 57 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a heat outputunit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 57 , the heat output unit 22200 may include a thermalfeedback control data obtainer 22210 and a thermal feedback provider22220.

The thermal feedback control data obtainer 22210 may obtain thermalfeedback control data. As described above, thermal feedback control datamay be configured with a format and/or an instruction (hereinafter, aformat) understandable by the heat output unit 22200. In other words,the thermal feedback control data is not understandable by other unitsand/or devices having instruction systems not capable of interpretingthe format. For example, when the format is not understandable by thethermal feedback data output unit 22100, the thermal feedback controldata is not understandable by the thermal feedback data output unit22100. In addition, when the format is not understandable by a heatoutput unit other than the heat output unit 22200, the thermal feedbackcontrol data is not understandable. That is, the thermal feedbackcontrol data may have a specification in that it is only understandableby a specific heat output unit. For example, thermal feedback controldata may be configured with a predetermined packet structure. Thethermal feedback control data and the packet structure of the thermalfeedback control data will be described in detail below with referenceto FIGS. 58 and 59 .

Specifically, the thermal feedback control data obtainer 22210 mayobtain thermal feedback control data from the control unit 22300. Ofcourse, according to circumstances, the thermal feedback control dataobtainer 22210 may obtain thermal feedback control data from the thermalfeedback data output unit 22100. In this case, the thermal feedbackcontrol data obtainer 22210 obtains thermal feedback data output fromthe thermal feedback data output unit 22100 as the thermal feedbackcontrol data, wherein the thermal feedback data and the thermal feedbackcontrol data may be the same.

In addition, in an embodiment, the thermal feedback control dataobtainer 22210 may transmit control request data to request the controlunit 22300 for thermal feedback control data and may obtain the thermalfeedback control data from the control unit 22300 according to thecontrol request data. In this case, the thermal feedback control dataobtainer 22210 may also transmit the control request data to the controlunit 22300 according to a predetermined cycle or transmit the controlrequest data to the control unit 22300 only when the heat output unit22200 has received a request for output of thermal feedback from theoutside.

In addition, in another embodiment, the thermal feedback control dataobtainer 22210 may obtain thermal feedback control data from the controlunit 22300 even without transmitting the control request data thereto.For example, when a thermal event occurs in real time in multimediacontent, every time the control unit 22300 obtains thermal feedbackdata, the thermal feedback control data obtainer 22210 may respondthereto and obtain thermal feedback control data from the control unit22300.

As still another example, the thermal feedback control data obtainer22210 may obtain thermal feedback control data one time while multimediacontent is being reproduced. For example, when the multimedia content isvideo content, the thermal feedback control data obtainer 22210 mayobtain, from the control unit 22300, a single piece of thermal eventdata including a plurality of pieces of thermal feedback informationcorresponding to a plurality of thermal events connected in the videocontent.

In addition, the thermal feedback provider 22220 may provide thermalfeedback according to thermal feedback control data. For example, when aheat output module 2220 is implemented in a form included in thefeedback controller 1648, the heat output module 2220 may output thermalfeedback by controlling other configurations in the heat output module1640 according to thermal feedback control data. As another example,when the heat output module 2220 is not implemented in a form includedin the feedback controller 1648, the heat output module 2220 may providethermal feedback control data to the feedback controller 1648.

In addition, the thermal feedback provider 22220 may includeinterpretation information for interpreting thermal feedback controldata. According to circumstances, the thermal feedback control data maybe encoded using a predetermined method. For example, thermal feedbackcontrol data may be encoded using the predetermined method in order toreduce the size of the thermal feedback control data. This is because,if the size of the thermal feedback control data is large and thus timeat which the thermal feedback control data obtainer 22210 obtainsthermal feedback control data is delayed, provision of thermal feedbackfrom the thermal feedback provider 22220 may also be delayed.

The thermal feedback provider 22220 may decode the thermal feedbackcontrol data by using the interpretation information so that the thermalfeedback provider 22200 may understand the thermal feedback controldata. For example, the interpretation information may be configured inthe form of a table. Specifically, the table may include pieces ofinformation indicating that hot feedback should be output when thermalfeedback type information in thermal feedback control data is configuredas “0001,” cold feedback should be output when the thermal feedback typeinformation is configured as “0011,” and cold feedback should be outputwhen the thermal feedback type information is configured as “0111.” Asanother example, the interpretation information may include an algorithmfor decoding the thermal feedback control data, and the thermal feedbackprovider 22220 may decode the thermal feedback control data according tothe algorithm.

1.2.2.1. Thermal Feedback Control Data

Hereinafter, thermal feedback control data obtained by the heat outputunit 22200 will be described.

FIGS. 58 and 59 are views for describing packet structures of thermalfeedback control data according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 58 , a packet structure (hereinafter, a packet) ofthermal feedback control data may be configured with a header and apayload.

The header may include information on a destination, that is,information on the heat output unit 22200. For example, the packet maybe transmitted from the control unit 22300, and for the control unit22300 to transmit the packet to the heat output unit 22200, the headermay include information on the control unit 22300.

In addition, the payload may include thermal feedback information. Inthis case, in the payload, thermal feedback data may be arranged in aspecific format according to a rule set in the heat output unit 22200.If the payload is arranged according to a rule other than the rule setin the heat output unit 22200, the heat output unit 22200 is unable tointerpret thermal feedback control data including the payload.Therefore, prior to generating the packet, the control unit 22300 mayobtain information on the rule set in the heat output unit 22200 inadvance.

In this way, the payload may be configured in various formats. Variousconfigurations of the payload will be described with reference to FIGS.58 and 59 .

Although, for convenience of description, the payload will be describedmainly on the basis of embodiments of FIGS. 58 and 59 herein, thepayload is not solely configured by the embodiments of FIGS. 58 and 59and may also be configured by combining fields, which will be describedbelow, in various ways. Since combining the fields is self-evident tothose of ordinary skill in the art, description thereof will be omitted.In addition, various fields indicating thermal feedback informationother than the fields which will be described below may also exist. Forexample, the payload may include a mode field related to a thermalfeedback mode and heat transfer operation fields related to a heattransfer operation (for example, a field related to a type of the heattransfer operation, a field related to a direction of the heat transferoperation). Such various fields may also be applied to fields of thepayload.

In FIG. 58 , the payload may be configured with a device ID fieldindicating feedback device identification information, n output regionfields indicating a first output region to a n-th output region, and nfeedback information fields indicating thermal feedback information oneach output region. The device ID field is information indicating, whena plurality of feedback devices 1600 are used in the thermal experienceproviding system 1000, to which feedback device 1600 the packet isrelated. In addition, the output region field is information related toa region to which thermal feedback is output in the feedback device1600. When the feedback device 1600 includes a plurality of heat outputmodules 1640, the output region field indicates to which heat outputmodule 1640 a feedback information field corresponding to the outputregion field is related. In addition, when thermoelectric couple arrays1643 or thermoelectric couple groups 1644 are separately controlled inthe feedback device 1600, the output region field indicates to whichthermoelectric couple array 1643 or thermoelectric couple group 1644 afeedback information field corresponding to the output region field isrelated.

In addition, the feedback information field may include a type fieldindicating information on a type of thermal feedback and a level fieldindicating an intensity of thermal feedback. In this case, the typefield may include information indicating hot feedback, cold feedback,and thermal grill feedback, and particularly for the thermal grillfeedback, the type field may include information indicating neutralthermal grill feedback, hot thermal grill feedback, and cold thermalgrill feedback. In addition, in the level field, a strength of thermalfeedback indicated in the type field may be set.

In addition, depending on embodiments, the feedback information fieldmay include the level field without including the type field. In thiscase, the level field may include information on thermal feedback. Forexample, in the level field, intensities of thermal feedback may beclassified into first to twelfth levels, cold feedback may be assignedto the first to fourth levels, cold feedback may be assigned to thefifth to eighth levels, and thermal grill feedback may be assigned tothe ninth to twelfth levels.

Referring to FIG. 59A, the payload of the packet may include an outputregion field and a level field. In the output region field, all of aplurality of output regions may be indicated when the plurality ofoutput regions are identically controlled in the feedback device 1600,but only some of the plurality of output regions may be indicated whenthe plurality of output regions are separately controlled. For example,when n output regions are included in the feedback device 1600, theoutput region field may include field values indicating each of the noutput regions. In addition, also in the level field, intensities ofpieces of thermal feedback output from all of the plurality of outputregions may be indicated when the plurality of output regions areidentically controlled, but intensities of pieces of thermal feedbackcorresponding to only some of the plurality of output regions may beindicated when the plurality of output regions are separatelycontrolled. For example, when n output regions are included in thefeedback device 1600, the output region field may include field valuesindicating an intensity of thermal feedback of each of the n outputregions.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 59B, the payload of the packet may includen output region fields indicating each of the n output regions and nlevel fields indicating intensities of thermal feedback of each of theplurality of output regions.

In addition, the payload of the packet may include an output regionfield, a level field, and a type field as shown in FIG. 59C or mayinclude a device ID field, an output region field, a level field, and atime field as shown in FIG. 59D. Here, the time field may includeinformation on a thermal feedback providing time. For example, the timefield may include at least one field among a first time field indicatinga start time of thermal feedback output, a second time field indicatingan end time of thermal feedback output, and a third time fieldindicating a time duration of thermal feedback output. In addition,depending on embodiments, the start time, the end time, and the timeduration may be expressed as unique field values within the time fieldinstead of being expressed in a separate field. In addition, the timefield may include information on at least one of the start time, the endtime, and the time duration.

In addition, although the payloads illustrated in FIGS. 59C and 59D areshown as including a single output region field and a single levelfield, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the payloads illustratedin FIGS. 59C and 59D may also include n output region fields, n levelfields and n type fields, and n time fields as shown in FIG. 59B.

The payload of the packet may also be expressed using various othermethods capable of indicating thermal feedback information.

1.2.3. Control Unit

As described above, the control unit 22300 may obtain thermal feedbackdata, generate thermal feedback control data on the basis of the thermalfeedback data, and provide the thermal feedback control data. Thecontrol unit 22300 may be implemented in the form of middleware sincethe control unit 22300 transmits and receives data between the thermalfeedback data output unit 22100 and the heat output unit 22200 andimproves compatibility between the thermal feedback data output unit22100 and the heat output unit 22200.

FIG. 60 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a control unitaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 60 , the control unit 22300 may include an obtainer22310, an interpreter 22320, and a provider 22330.

In addition, as described above, the control unit 22300 may beimplemented in a form included in the feedback device 1600, the contentreproduction device 1200, or an external device. For example, thecontrol unit 22300 may be implemented in a form included in the feedbackcontroller 1648 of the feedback device 1600 or another controller in thefeedback device 1600 other than the feedback controller 1648. Inaddition, as another example, the control unit 22300 may be implementedin a form included in the controller 1260 of the content reproductiondevice 1200 or another controller in the content reproduction device1200. In addition, as a specific example, the control unit 22300 mayalso be implemented as an external device of the feedback device 1600,e.g., in the form of a driver for controlling the feedback device 1600or may also be implemented as software independent from multimediacontent, e.g., in the form of a thermal engine providing thermalfeedback information to the multimedia content.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the obtainer 22310 may obtainthermal feedback data provided from the thermal feedback data outputunit 22100.

In addition, in an embodiment, the obtainer 22310 may transmit requestdata to request for thermal feedback data to the thermal feedback dataoutput unit 22100 and obtain the thermal feedback data from the thermalfeedback data output unit 22100 according to the request data. In thiscase, the obtainer 22310 may transmit the request data to the thermalfeedback data output unit 22100 according to a predetermined cycle ortransmit the request data to the thermal feedback data output unit 22100only when the control unit 22300 has obtained control request datarequesting for thermal feedback control data from the heat output unit22200.

In addition, in another embodiment, the obtainer 22310 may obtainthermal feedback data from the thermal feedback data output unit 22100even without transmitting the request data. For example, when a thermalevent occurs in real time in multimedia content, the obtainer 22310 mayobtain thermal feedback data from the thermal feedback data output unit22100 every time the thermal feedback data output unit 22100 obtains thethermal feedback data.

As still another example, the obtainer 22310 may obtain thermal feedbackdata one time while multimedia content is being reproduced. For example,when the multimedia content is video content, the obtainer 22310 mayobtain, from the thermal feedback data output unit 22100, a single pieceof thermal event data including a plurality of pieces of thermalfeedback information connected to a plurality of thermal events thatoccur in the video content.

In addition, the interpreter 22320 may interpret thermal feedback data.As described above, the thermal feedback data may be configured in aformat understandable by the thermal feedback data output unit 22100.That is, according to circumstances, thermal feedback data is notunderstandable by other units or devices which do not have informationon the format. The interpretation may refer to understanding, fromthermal feedback data, pieces of information included in the thermalfeedback data, that is, pieces of information related to thermalfeedback. The interpretation may be referred to by using various termssuch as analysis and parsing. Accordingly, the interpreter 22320 may bereferred to by using various terms such as analyzer and parser.

For interpretation of thermal feedback data, the interpreter 22320 mayobtain information on a format of the thermal feedback data in advance.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when thermal feedback data isconfigured in a standardized data format, the interpreter 22320 maystore information for interpreting the standardized data format in adevice (for example, the memory 1240) accessible by the obtainer 22310and may use the information for interpreting the standardized dataformat to obtain information related to thermal feedback from thethermal feedback data.

In another embodiment of the present invention, thermal feedback datamay be configured in various formats other than the standardized dataformat. In this case, the interpreter 22320 may access information forinterpreting a data format (hereinafter, a specific data format) ofthermal feedback data to interpret the specific data format. Forexample, the interpreter 22320 may call for an API for accessing theinformation on the specific data format and access a library includingthe information on the specific data format through the API to obtainthe information on the specific data format.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the interpreter22320 may obtain information on a specific data format from the thermalfeedback data output unit 22100.

The interpreter 22320 may interpret the thermal feedback data by usingthe information on the specific data format.

In addition, the provider 22330 may provide information on thermalfeedback obtained by interpreting the thermal feedback data to the heatoutput unit 22200. In this case, the provider 22330 may provide theinformation on the thermal feedback in a format understandable by theheat output unit 22200.

Specifically, FIG. 61 is a flowchart related to a thermal feedbackcontrol data providing operation of the control unit according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 61 , the thermal feedback control data providingoperation of the control unit 22300 may include obtaining thermalfeedback data (S23510), determining whether the thermal feedback data isunderstandable by the feedback device (S23520), and converting thethermal feedback data to thermal feedback control data (S23530).

The obtainer 22310 of the control unit 22300 may obtain thermal feedbackdata (S23510). Since the description given above in relation to theobtainer 22310 may be applied as it is to step S23510, detaileddescription thereof will be omitted for convenience of description.

In addition, the provider 22330 of the control unit 22300 may determinewhether the thermal feedback data is understandable by the feedbackdevice 1600 (S23520). Specifically, the provider 22330 may obtaininformation on a data format understandable by the heat output unit22200. For example, the information on a data format understandable bythe heat output unit 22200 may be stored in a device (for example, thememory 1240) accessible by the provider 22330. In addition, theinformation on a data format understandable by the heat output unit22200 may be stored in a specific library, and the provider 22330 mayaccess the library to obtain the information on a data formatunderstandable by the heat output unit 22200. In addition, as anotherexample, the provider 22330 may receive information on a data formatunderstandable by the heat output unit 22200 from the heat output unit22200.

In addition, heat output units 22200 capable of understanding dataformats other than the data format used in the above-described heatoutput unit 22200 may exist, and, accordingly, the provider 22330 mayprovide, for each of the plurality of heat output units, thermalfeedback control data understandable by the corresponding heat outputunit. To this end, a table in which information on a data formatunderstandable by each of the plurality of heat output units is storedmay be stored, and the information on the data format understandable byeach of the plurality of heat output units may be obtained from thetable.

In addition, the provider 22330 may determine whether a data format ofthermal feedback data is compatible with a data format understandable bythe heat output unit 22200. When the data formats are compatible as aresult of the determination, the provider 22330 may determine that thethermal feedback data is understandable by the feedback device 1600, andwhen the data formats are not compatible, the provider 22330 maydetermine that the thermal feedback data is not understandable by thefeedback device 1600.

In addition, when it is determined that thermal feedback data isunderstandable by the feedback device 1600, the provider 22330 mayprovide the thermal feedback data as thermal feedback control datawithout separately processing the thermal feedback data. That is, thethermal feedback control data obtained by the heat output unit 22200 maybe the same as thermal feedback data output by the thermal feedback dataoutput unit 22100.

In addition, when it is determined that thermal feedback data is notunderstandable by the feedback device 1600, the provider 22330 mayconvert the thermal feedback data to thermal feedback control data(S23530). That is, the provider 22330 may process the thermal feedbackdata so that the thermal feedback data is understandable by the heatoutput unit 22200 and may provide the processed thermal feedback data,that is, the thermal feedback control data, to the heat output unit22200. For example, the provider 22330 may use the previously-obtainedinformation on a data format understandable by the heat output unit22200 to generate thermal feedback control data on the basis ofinformation related to thermal feedback extracted from the thermalfeedback data. Accordingly, data formats, data sizes, packet structures,and the like of the thermal feedback data and the thermal feedbackcontrol data may become different.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the provider 22330 may simplyconvert thermal feedback data to thermal feedback control data but mayalso generate thermal feedback control data without the simpleconversion so that the heat output unit 22200 may output thermalfeedback from the heat output module 1640 according to functions (orstates, specifications) of the heat output module 1640 (hereinafter,referred to as functions of the heat output module 1640) providingthermal feedback control data.

For example, in the heat output module 1640 in which the heat outputunit 22200 provides thermal feedback control data, thermal feedback maynot be output according to information on thermal feedback included inthermal feedback data. For example, although thermal feedback dataincludes information on a heat transfer operation, thermoelectric couplearrays 1643 or thermoelectric couple groups 1644 may not be separatelycontrolled in the heat output module 1640, and all thermoelectricelements may be identically controlled. That is, it is not possible toperform the heat transfer operation in the heat output module 1640.

Therefore, the provider 22330 may convert thermal feedback data tothermal feedback control data so that thermal feedback may be output bythe heat output module 1640.

Specifically, the provider 22330 may obtain information on functions ofthe heat output module 1640. For example, functions of the heat outputmodule 1640 may be reflected in a data format understandable by the heatoutput unit 22200. For example, a packet related to a type of a heattransfer operation may not exist in a packet structure of a data formatunderstandable by the heat output unit 22200, and the provider 22330 maycheck functions of the heat output module 1640 on the basis of thepacket structure.

As another example, the provider 22330 may obtain information onfunctions of the heat output module 1640 from the heat output unit22200.

As still another example, the provider 22330 may include a tableindicating information on functions of the heat output module 1640corresponding to each of the plurality of heat output units and mayobtain the information on functions of the heat output module 1640 onthe basis of the table.

In addition, in a process of generating thermal feedback control data onthe basis of thermal feedback data, the provider 22330 may eliminateinformation on thermal feedback that is not outputtable by the heatoutput module 1640 (hereinafter, non-outputtable thermal feedbackinformation) from information included in the thermal feedback data andgenerate the thermal feedback data or may also substitute thenon-outputtable thermal feedback information with thermal feedbackinformation similar thereto.

For example, when, in the case in which thermal grill feedback is notoutputtable by the heat output module 1640, information on the thermalgrill feedback is included in thermal feedback data, the provider 22330may generate thermal feedback control data while ignoring theinformation on the thermal grill feedback or may generate thermalfeedback control data by substituting the information on the thermalgrill feedback with information indicating output of thermal feedback ata high intensity.

An implementation related to provision of thermal feedback control dataof the control unit 22300 will be described in more detail below.

1.2.3.1. Implementation of Provision of Thermal Feedback Control Data byControl Unit (22300)

FIG. 62 is a flowchart for describing the provision of thermal feedbackcontrol data by the control unit when separate control is indicated fora plurality of output regions in thermal feedback data according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 62 , the control unit 22300 may obtain thermalfeedback data (S23610).

In addition, the control unit 22300 may interpret the thermal feedbackdata, and when information on output regions indicates separate controlfor the plurality of output regions, the control unit 22300 maydetermine whether thermoelectric elements of the feedback device 1600are separately controlled (S23620). As described above, the control unit22300 may obtain information on functions of the heat output module 1640of the feedback device 1600. For example, the control unit 22300 mayobtain information on functions of the heat output module 1640 on thebasis of a data format understandable by the heat output unit 22200,obtain information on functions of the heat output module 1640 from theheat output unit 22200, or obtain information on functions of the heatoutput module 1640 from a table indicating information on functions ofthe heat output module 1640 corresponding to each of the plurality ofheat output units. The control unit 22300 may determine, through theinformation on functions of the heat output module 1640, whether thethermoelectric elements of the heat output module 1640 are separatelycontrolled.

When it is determined that the thermoelectric elements of the feedbackdevice 1600 may be separately controlled, the control unit 22300 maygenerate thermal feedback control data so that the thermoelectricelements are separately controlled (S23630). For example, since thethermoelectric elements may be separately controlled in the feedbackdevice 1600 according to thermal feedback information included inthermal feedback data, the control unit 22300 may generate thermalfeedback control data from the thermal feedback data according to a dataformat of the thermal feedback control data without additionalprocessing of information.

In addition, when it is determined that the thermoelectric elements ofthe feedback device 1600 are not separately controllable, the controlunit 22300 may generate thermal feedback control data so that thethermoelectric elements are collectively controlled (S23640). Here, thecollective control may refer to the case in which all of thethermoelectric elements of the heat output module 1640 are controlled asa single output region by the same thermal feedback signal.

The control unit 22300 may convert thermal feedback output informationrelated to a plurality of output regions included in thermal feedbackdata to thermal feedback output information related to a single outputregion in thermal feedback control data. For example, when thermalfeedback data includes thermal feedback information on a first outputregion and thermal feedback information on a second output region,depending on embodiments, the control unit 22300 may generate thermalfeedback control data by using the thermal feedback information on thefirst output region without taking into consideration the thermalfeedback information on the second output region or may also generatethermal feedback control data by combining the thermal feedbackinformation on the first output region and the thermal feedbackinformation on the second output region.

In addition, the control unit 22300 may provide the generated thermalfeedback control data to the heat output unit 22200 (S23650).

FIG. 63 is a flowchart for describing the provision of thermal feedbackcontrol data by the control unit when collective control for an outputregion is indicated in thermal feedback data according to an embodimentof the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 63 , the control unit 22300 may obtain thermalfeedback data (S23710).

In addition, the control unit 22300 may interpret the thermal feedbackdata, and when information on output regions indicates collectivecontrol for the output regions, the control unit 22300 may determinewhether thermoelectric elements of the feedback device 1600 arecollectively controlled (S23720).

As described above, the control unit 22300 may obtain information onfunctions of the heat output module 1640 of the feedback device 1600 anddetermine, on the basis of the obtained information on functions of theheat output module 1640, whether the thermoelectric elements of the heatoutput module 1640 are collectively controlled.

When it is determined that the thermoelectric elements of the feedbackdevice 1600 are collectively controlled, the control unit 22300 maygenerate thermal feedback control data so that the thermoelectricelements are collectively controlled (S23730). For example, the controlunit 22300 may generate thermal feedback control data from the thermalfeedback data according to a data format of the thermal feedback controldata without additional processing of information.

In addition, when it is determined that the thermoelectric elements ofthe feedback device 1600 are separately controlled, the control unit22300 may generate thermal feedback control data so that thethermoelectric elements are separately controlled (S23740). For example,the control unit 22300 may indicate the same thermal feedbackinformation for the plurality of thermoelectric elements so that theplurality of thermoelectric elements operate like a single output regionwhile the plurality of thermoelectric elements are separatelycontrolled. For example, the control unit 22300 may generate, accordingto thermal feedback data, thermal feedback control data indicating allof types, intensities, and providing times of pieces of thermal feedbackfor the plurality of thermoelectric elements to be the same. As anotherexample, the control unit 22300 may generate thermal feedback controldata according to a preset rule so that the plurality of thermoelectricelements are separately controlled and different pieces of thermalfeedback are controlled in the plurality of thermoelectric elements.

In addition, the control unit 22300 may provide the generated thermalfeedback control data to the heat output unit 22200 (S23750).

FIG. 64 is a flowchart for describing the provision of thermal feedbackcontrol data by the control unit when a heat transfer operation isindicated in thermal feedback data according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 64 , the control unit 22300 may obtain thermalfeedback data and obtain information on a heat transfer operation fromthe thermal feedback data (S23810). For example, the control unit 22300may obtain, from heat transfer operation mode information included inthe thermal feedback data, pieces of information on a type and adirection of the heat transfer operation.

In addition, the control unit 22300 may determine whether a heattransfer operation field is included in a data format understandable bythe heat output unit 22200 (S23820). Here, the time field may refer to afield including information on a heat transfer operation in a packetstructure of a data format understandable by the heat output unit 22200.

In addition, when the heat transfer operation field is included in thedata format, the control unit 22300 may generate thermal feedbackcontrol data including the heat transfer operation field (S23830). Forexample, the control unit 22300 may generate a field related to a typeof a heat transfer operation and/or a field related to a direction of aheat transfer operation on the basis of information on a heat transferoperation included in the thermal feedback data and may generate thermalfeedback control data including the fields.

In addition, when the heat transfer operation field is not included inthe data format, the control unit 22300 may generate thermal feedbackcontrol data which does not include the heat transfer operation field(S23840).

For example, although a heat transfer operation may be performed in theheat output module 1640 when the thermoelectric elements, that is, aplurality of output regions, of the heat output module 1640 areseparately controlled, it is not possible to perform a heat transferoperation due to absence of a heat transfer operation field in the dataformat. In this case, the control unit 22300 may configure an outputregion field, a feedback information field, and a time field of thermalfeedback control data on the basis of information on a heat transferoperation included in thermal feedback data so that the heat transferoperation is performed in the heat output module 1640. For example, whenthe information on a heat transfer operation indicates the first heattransfer operation in which pieces of thermal feedback are sequentiallyoutput from output regions, wherein output of thermal feedback from aprevious output region ends after a predetermined amount of time from atime point at which output of thermal feedback starts from a specificoutput region, and information on a direction of the heat transferoperation indicates the first direction in which the heat transferoperation is performed in order from an output region disposed at theleft of the feedback device 1600 to an output region disposed at theright, the control unit 22300 may configure an output region field, afeedback information field, and a time field of thermal feedback controldata so that hot feedback at a first intensity is output for one secondfrom a first output region disposed at the left of the feedback device1600 to an n-th output region disposed at the right of the feedbackdevice 1600. Accordingly, the heat output module 1640 may perform a heattransfer operation even when the thermal feedback control data does notinclude a heat transfer operation field.

As another example, since it is not possible to perform a heat transferoperation in the heat output module 1640 when thermoelectric elements,that is, a plurality of output regions, of the heat output module 1640are collectively controlled, the control unit 22300 may generate thermalfeedback control data without taking into consideration the informationon a heat transfer operation.

In addition, the control unit 22300 may provide the generated thermalfeedback control data to the heat output unit 22200 (S23850).

FIG. 65 is a flowchart for describing the provision of thermal feedbackcontrol data by the control unit when thermal feedback providing time isindicated in thermal feedback data according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 65 , the control unit 22300 may obtain thermalfeedback data and obtain information on a thermal feedback providingtime from the thermal feedback data (S23910). For example, the controlunit 22300 may obtain at least one of a start time, an end time, and atime duration of thermal feedback output from the information on athermal feedback providing time included in the thermal feedback data.

In addition, the control unit 22300 may determine whether a time fieldis included in a data format understandable by the heat output unit22200 (S23920). Here, the time field may refer to a field includinginformation on a thermal feedback providing time in a packet structureof a data format which is understandable by the heat output unit 22200.

In addition, when the time field is included in the data format, thecontrol unit 22300 may generate thermal feedback control data includingthe time field (S23930). For example, the control unit 22300 maygenerate, on the basis of the information on a thermal feedbackproviding time included in the thermal feedback data, at least one of afirst time field indicating a start time of thermal feedback output, asecond time field indicating an end time of thermal feedback output, anda third time field indicating a time duration of thermal feedback outputand may generate thermal feedback control data including the fields.

In addition, when the time field is not included in the data format, thecontrol unit 22300 may generate thermal feedback control data which doesnot include the time field (S23940). For example, the control unit 22300may check a start time point, an end time point, and a duration timepoint of an output region of thermal feedback on the basis of theinformation on a thermal feedback providing time in the data format andmay generate thermal feedback control data at every predetermined cycleso that thermal feedback is output from the output region according tothe output start time point, the output end time point, and the outputduration time point. Accordingly, there may be a plurality of pieces ofthermal feedback control data.

In addition, the control unit 22300 may provide the generated thermalfeedback control data to the heat output unit 2200 (S23950).

FIG. 66 is a flowchart for describing the provision of thermal feedbackcontrol data by the control unit when control is indicated for aplurality of feedback devices in thermal feedback data according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 66 , the control unit 22300 may obtain thermalfeedback data and obtain pieces of identification information of aplurality of feedback devices 1600 from the thermal feedback data(S24010). For example, the pieces of identification information of theplurality of feedback devices 1600 may be pieces of information onthrough which feedback device 1600 thermal feedback will be output whenthe plurality of feedback devices 1600 are used for a single piece ofmultimedia content.

In addition, the control unit 22300 may generate thermal feedback dataon the basis of the pieces of identification information of theplurality of feedback devices 1600 (S24020).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 22300 maydetermine whether a device ID field is included in a data formatunderstandable by the heat output unit 22200. Here, the device ID fieldmay refer to a field indicating identification information of thefeedback device 1600.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the device ID field isincluded in the data format understandable by the heat output unit22200, the control unit 22300 may generate thermal feedback control dataincluding the device ID field on the basis of the pieces ofidentification information of the plurality of feedback devices 1600from the thermal feedback data.

In an embodiment, the control unit 22300 may generate a single piece ofthermal feedback control data which may be used in all of the pluralityof feedback devices 1600. For example, thermal feedback control data mayinclude a plurality of device ID fields. For example, thermal feedbackcontrol data may include a first device ID field indicating a firstfeedback device 1600, a first piece of thermal feedback information foroutput of thermal feedback from the first feedback device 1600, a seconddevice ID field indicating a second feedback device 1600, and a secondpiece of thermal feedback information for output of thermal feedbackfrom the second feedback device 1600. In this case, a single piece ofthermal feedback control data may include all pieces of thermal feedbackinformation on the plurality of feedback devices 1600.

In another embodiment, the control unit 22300 may generate as manypieces of thermal feedback control data, which may only be used in oneof the plurality of feedback devices 1600, as there are feedback devices1600. For example, the thermal feedback control data may include asingle device ID field. For example, a first piece of thermal feedbackcontrol data may include a first device ID field indicating a firstfeedback device 1600 and a first piece of thermal feedback informationfor output of thermal feedback from the first feedback device 1600, anda second piece of thermal feedback control data may include a seconddevice ID field indicating a second feedback device 1600 and a secondpiece of thermal feedback information for output of thermal feedbackfrom the second feedback device 1600. In this case, a single piece ofthermal feedback control data may only include thermal feedbackinformation on a single feedback device 1600.

In another embodiment of the present invention, when a device ID fieldis not included in a data format understandable by the heat output unit22200, the control unit 22300 may generate, from thermal feedback data,thermal feedback control data which does not include the device ID fieldon the basis of pieces of identification information on a plurality offeedback devices 1600.

In an embodiment, the control unit 22300 may check thermal feedbackinformation on each of a plurality of feedback devices 1600 on the basisof pieces of identification information on the plurality of feedbackdevices 1600 and may generate, on the basis of the pieces ofidentification information, thermal feedback control data includinginformation on thermal feedback for each feedback device 1600. In thiscase, since a device ID field is not included in a data formatunderstandable by the heat output unit 22200, the thermal feedbackcontrol data does not include a device ID field.

In addition, the control unit 22300 may provide the generated thermalfeedback control data to the heat output unit 22200 (S24030). Forexample, when a single piece of thermal feedback control data isgenerated in step S24020, the control unit 22300 may provide the singlepiece of thermal feedback control data to all of the plurality offeedback devices 1600. As another example, when a plurality of pieces ofthermal feedback control data are generated in step S24020, the controlunit 22300 may transmit different pieces of thermal feedback controldata corresponding to the plurality of feedback devices 1600,respectively, to the plurality of feedback devices 1600.

In addition, in still another embodiment of the present invention,although a single feedback device 1600 is used for a single piece ofmultimedia content, pieces of thermal feedback information on aplurality of feedback devices may be indicated in thermal feedback data.In this case, the control unit 22300 may generate thermal feedbackcontrol data on the basis of the thermal feedback data by using variousmethods. For example, the control unit 22300 may generate thermalfeedback control data on the basis of thermal feedback information on asingle feedback device 1600 among pieces of thermal feedback informationof the plurality of feedback devices 1600 included in the thermalfeedback data or may generate thermal feedback control data by combiningthe pieces of thermal feedback information on the plurality of feedbackdevices 1600.

The control unit 22300 may provide the generated thermal feedbackcontrol data to the feedback device 1600.

In addition, in yet another embodiment of the present invention,although a plurality of feedback devices 1600 are used for a singlepiece of multimedia content, thermal feedback information on only asingle feedback device may be indicated in thermal feedback data.

In this case, the control unit 22300 may generate thermal feedbackcontrol data for the plurality of feedback devices 1600 on the basis ofthe thermal feedback data by using various methods. For example, thecontrol unit 22300 may generate a plurality of pieces of the samethermal feedback control data on the basis of thermal feedbackinformation on a feedback device 1600 included in the thermal feedbackdata and may provide the generated plurality of pieces of thermalfeedback control data to the plurality of feedback devices 1600.

As another example, the control unit 22300 may also generate a pluralityof pieces of thermal feedback control data on the basis of thermalfeedback information on a single feedback device 1600 according to apreset rule. In this case, feedback information fields included in theplurality of pieces of thermal feedback control data may indicatedifferent pieces of thermal feedback. The control unit 22300 may providethe generated plurality of pieces of thermal feedback control data,which differ from each other, to each of the plurality of feedbackdevices 1600.

2. Thermal Experience Providing Method Based on Thermal Feedback ControlSystem (22000)

Hereinafter, a thermal experience providing method based on the thermalfeedback control system 22000 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention will be described. In the following description, the thermalexperience providing method according to an embodiment of the presentinvention will be described with reference to operations by theabove-described thermal experience providing system 1000 and thermalfeedback control system 22000. However, this is merely for convenienceof description, and thus the thermal experience providing method basedon the thermal feedback control system 22000 according to an embodimentof the present invention is not limited thereto.

2.1. Outline of Thermal Experience Providing Method

FIG. 67 is a flowchart related to a thermal experience providing methodaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 67 , the thermal experience providing method accordingto an embodiment of the present invention may include obtaining, by thethermal feedback data output unit 22100, thermal feedback data accordingto reproduction of multimedia content (S24110), obtaining, by thecontrol unit 22300, the thermal feedback data (S24120), converting, bythe control unit 22300, the thermal feedback data into thermal feedbackcontrol data (S24130), obtaining, by the heat output unit 22200, thethermal feedback control data (S24140), and providing, by the heatoutput unit 22200, thermal feedback according to the thermal feedbackcontrol data (S24150). The above-listed steps will be described below.

First, the thermal feedback data output unit 22100 may obtain thermalfeedback data according to reproduction of multimedia content (S24110).In an embodiment, the content reproduction device 1200 may reproducemultimedia content. The multimedia content may be a video, a game, a VRapplication, an AR application, an experiencing application, and thelike. The controller 1260 of the content reproduction device 1200 mayload multimedia content stored in the memory 1240 from the memory 1240or receive multimedia content through the communication module 1220 andreproduce the multimedia content.

For example, the controller 1260 of the content reproduction device 1200may reproduce multimedia content such as a game or a movie file storedin the memory 1240. As another example, the content reproduction device1200 may receive multimedia content from the Internet through thecommunication module 1220 by using a downloading or streaming method andreproduce the multimedia content.

As the multimedia content is reproduced, the thermal feedback dataoutput unit 22100 may obtain thermal feedback information. An algorithmfor processing thermal feedback data or thermal data may be included inthe multimedia content. The controller 1260 of the content reproductiondevice 1200 may decode thermal feedback data or perform a thermalfeedback processing algorithm according to reproduction of themultimedia content and, as a result, may obtain the thermal feedbackdata. In addition, the thermal feedback data output unit 22100 mayobtain the thermal feedback data from the controller 1260. For example,the thermal feedback data output unit 22100 may be included in thecontroller 1260 or included in another device physically separated fromthe controller 1260.

In addition, the control unit 22300 may obtain the thermal feedback data(S24120), the control unit 22300 may convert the thermal feedback datato thermal feedback control data (S24130), and the heat output unit22200 may obtain the thermal feedback control data (S24140). Sincedescription given above with reference to FIGS. 35 to 43 may be appliedas it is to steps S24120 to S24140, detailed description thereof will beomitted.

In addition, the heat output unit 22200 may provide thermal feedbackaccording to the thermal feedback control data (S24150).

The heat output unit 22200 may generate a thermal feedback signal on thebasis of the thermal feedback control data and provide the thermalfeedback signal to the feedback controller 1648. In this case, the heatoutput unit 22200 may be implemented in a form included in the feedbackcontroller 1648 or may also be implemented as a device physicallyseparated from the feedback controller 1648. The feedback controller1648 may perform a thermal feedback output operation according to thethermal feedback signal.

Here, the thermal feedback signal is a signal for controlling output ofthermal feedback.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a thermal feedback signal mayinclude a thermal feedback start signal indicating a start of output ofthermal feedback and a thermal feedback end signal indicating an end ofoutput of thermal feedback.

In a specific embodiment, the heat output unit 22200 may provide thethermal feedback start signal according to thermal feedback controldata, and the feedback controller 1648 may obtain the start signal. Whenthe feedback controller 1648 obtains the start signal, the feedbackcontroller 1648 may apply power to the thermoelectric couple array 1643according to the start signal so that the thermoelectric couple array1643 performs a thermal feedback output operation.

In addition, when the heat output unit 22200 provides the thermalfeedback end signal according to thermal feedback control data, thefeedback controller 1648 may obtain the end signal and cut off power tothe thermoelectric couple array 1643 according to the end signal so thatthe thermoelectric couple array 1643 may stop the thermal feedbackoutput operation.

Here, the end signal is not essential. For example, the heat output unit22200 may cause feedback duration time information to be included in thestart signal according to thermal feedback control data, and thefeedback controller 1648 may determine thermal feedback output timeaccording to the feedback duration time information, maintain output ofthermal feedback during the output time, and then end the output ofthermal feedback. Thus, the end signal may not be necessary. As anotherexample, when thermal feedback output time is set as a default in thefeedback device 1600, the feedback controller 1648 may maintain outputof thermal feedback during a preset amount of time and then end theoutput of thermal feedback. Thus, the end signal may not be necessary.

Meanwhile, the feedback controller 1648 of the feedback device 1600 mayprovide a thermal feedback report signal reporting an operational stateof the heat output module 1640 to the heat output unit 22200, and theheat output unit 22200 may provide the thermal feedback report signal tothe control unit 22300. For example, the feedback device 1600 mayprovide the report signal periodically or as a response to obtaining athermal feedback signal. The thermal feedback report signal may includeinformation on whether thermal feedback is output, a type or anintensity of thermal feedback being output, a temperature of the contactsurface 1641, biological information of the user sensed by a sensingmodule, whether an error has occurred, the state-of-charge of a battery,and the like. The control unit 22300 may take into consideration theinformation included in the report signal in converting thermal feedbackdata to thermal feedback control data on the basis of the report signal.For example, when information indicating that it is not possible tooutput cold feedback from the heat output module 1640 is included in thereport signal, the control unit 22300 may not reflect information oncold feedback to the thermal feedback control data from among pieces ofinformation on types of thermal feedback included in thermal feedbackdata.

In addition, a thermal feedback output operation of the feedback device1600 according to the thermal feedback signal may be performed usingvarious methods.

First, starting and ending of a thermal feedback output operation of thefeedback device 1600 may be performed as follows. For example, thefeedback device 1600 may perform the thermal feedback output operationonly while a thermal feedback signal is being received and may stop thethermal feedback output operation when the thermal feedback signal isnot received. As another example, when a start signal is received, thefeedback device 1600 may output thermal feedback for an amount of timeset as a default or for an amount of time corresponding to thermalfeedback providing time included in the start signal and then stop theoutput. As still another example, the feedback device 1600 may outputthermal feedback for an amount of time from a time point at which thestart signal is received to a time point at which an end signal isreceived and then stop the output.

In addition, although the thermal feedback signal may simply be providedas an on/off signal, the thermal feedback signal may also be provided ina form including thermal feedback information according to thermalfeedback control data. Upon receiving a thermal feedback signal, thefeedback controller 1648 may extract information included in the thermalfeedback signal and control a thermal feedback output operation. Forexample, the feedback controller 1648 may determine, on the basis ofthermal feedback output region information (information included in anoutput region field of thermal feedback control data), which heat outputmodule 1640 will perform a thermal feedback output operation. As anotherexample, the feedback controller 1648 may determine, on the basis ofthermal feedback type information (information included in a type fieldof thermal feedback control data), whether to perform an exothermicoperation, an endothermic operation, or a thermal grill operation. Asstill another example, the feedback controller 1648 may determine, onthe basis of thermal feedback intensity information (informationincluded in a level field of thermal feedback control data), a voltagevalue or the like of power to be applied to the thermoelectric couplearray 1643. As yet another example, the feedback controller 1648 maydetermine, on the basis of thermal feedback providing time information(information included in a time field of thermal feedback control data),a start time point and an end time point of thermal feedback output. Ofcourse, at least one of the above-described type, intensity, andproviding time of thermal feedback may be set as a default in thefeedback device 1600.

2.2. Application of Thermal Experience Providing Method

Conventionally, contents such as games and movies have been experiencedaccording to audiovisual expression methods provided by video or audio.Also, in order to improve immersion into content, a tactile experience,which is represented by vibration feedback, and an olfactory experienceusing scent have supported the conventional audiovisual expressionmethods. Furthermore, in recent years, solutions which enable users tohave a full range of user experiences, such as virtual reality (VR) andaugmented reality (AR), have been developed.

In enabling users to experience content, the thermal experienceproviding system 1000 may implement thermal reality (TR) by outputtingthermal feedback in sync with various situations provided using theabove-described conventional methods so that a user experience isfurther enhanced for various contents.

In relation to this, when the above-described thermal experienceproviding method is used, by causing the feedback device 1600 to outputthermal feedback through a thermal feedback signal according toreproduction of multimedia content by a content reproduction device, thethermal experience providing system 1000 may provide a thermalexperience to users.

Therefore, the thermal experience providing method may be applied tovarious technical fields where a user experience is required.Hereinafter, some typical technical fields in which the thermal feedbackcontrol system 22000 may be utilized will be briefly described below.

2.2.1. Virtual Reality (VR)

Virtual reality is a typical example of a field in which the thermalfeedback control system 22000 may be utilized.

Virtual reality refers to creating a virtual environment or situation sothat the user feels as if he or she is actually in a virtual space.Generally, virtual reality is implemented using a head mounted display(HMD) on the basis of a three-dimensional video which dynamicallychanges according to the user's line of sight. Virtual reality has beenactively developed for purposes of supporting education and business aswell as various games and movies.

Particularly, with the recent development of smart devices andsubsequent launch of VR devices after the launch of Samsung Electronics'Gear VR′, the virtual reality market is expected to grow in the future.Also, as various types of VR devices are launched by variousmanufacturers, compatibility between a VR application and various typesof feedback devices included in the various VR devices may become aproblem.

The thermal feedback control system 22000 of the present invention maybe applied to such VR applications to solve the compatibility problem,thereby adding a thermal sensation to the existingvisual/auditory/tactile sensations.

For example, the thermal feedback control system 22000 may implementthermal reality by assigning a temperature to a specific object disposedin a virtual space, obtaining thermal feedback data for thermal feedbackwhen an avatar, which is an alter ego of the user, touches the object,converting the thermal feedback data to thermal feedback control dataunderstandable by the feedback device 1600, and providing the thermalfeedback control data to the feedback device 1600. In this case, thethermal feedback control system 22000 may provide the thermal feedbackcontrol data to the feedback device 1600 in real time immediately uponobtaining the thermal feedback data.

2.2.2. Augmented Reality (AR)

The thermal feedback control system 22000 may be utilized in theaugmented reality field.

Augmented reality refers to providing a virtual object by overlaying thevirtual object on a real-world environment and is also referred to asmixed reality since a virtual environment is combined with thereal-world environment.

Compared to the virtual reality immersing the user into a full virtualspace, the augmented reality basically augments a virtual object orvirtual supplementary information in a real-world environment.Therefore, the augmented reality is implemented using a method ofaugmenting a virtual image on a glass type transparent display whichprojects the reality as it is instead of completely blocking the user'sfield of view even when the HMD is used or using a method of composing avirtual image with a real image captured using a camera 1480 in realtime.

Therefore, since, unlike the virtual reality technology, the augmentedreality technology simultaneously provides the real-world environmentand the virtual environment, the augmented reality technology has anadvantage in that a user may be provided with a better sense of realityand interaction is possible with information present in the actualenvironment.

Various smart devices including Apple's iPhone™ are equipped with theaugmented reality function, even though it is limited. In recent years,interest in augmented reality has been growing with the appearance ofMicrosoft's HMD type Hololens™, which operates as a standalone device.As the number of devices equipped with the augmented reality functionincreases, compatibility between various types of feedback devices foroutputting thermal feedback in relation to devices equipped withaugmented reality applications and the various augmented realityfunction may become a problem.

The thermal feedback control system 22000 may support a conventionaluser experience mainly based on visual/auditory senses by providing athermal sensation linked to such augmented reality applications. Forexample, the thermal feedback control system 22000 may provide usefulinformation to the user by obtaining thermal feedback data for hotfeedback as one augmentation element when a hot object enters within theuser's field of view, converting the thermal feedback data to thermalfeedback control data understandable by the feedback device 1600, andproviding the thermal feedback control data to the feedback device 1600.In this case, the thermal feedback control system 22000 may provide thethermal feedback control data to the feedback device 1600 in real timeimmediately upon obtaining the thermal feedback data.

2.2.3. Game Content

The thermal feedback control system 22000 may also be utilized in gamecontent.

Game content is basically multimedia content based on interactionbetween elements within a game and the user. Due to having aninteractive element, the game content is a field in which a userexperience is extremely important.

Game content may be implemented using the above-described virtualreality or augmented reality technique as well as a conventionaltechnique in which a user's manipulation is reflected in a game screenoutput through a TV or a monitor. The thermal experience providingsystem 1000 may add a thermal experience to a game environmentimplemented using the above-mentioned techniques, as a way of improvingimmersion into the game. For example, when being shot by a gun or thelike occurs in a first-person shooter game, the thermal experienceproviding system 1000 may output thermal feedback according to theshooting.

In addition, game content may be implemented by various manufacturersusing various types of gaming controllers, and a heat output module 1640for providing thermal feedback may be included in the gaming controller.Since the heat output module 1640 may be controlled by a gamingcontroller equipped with the heat output module 1640, compatibilitybetween thermal feedback data corresponding to game content and thevarious gaming controllers may become a problem. In this case, thethermal feedback control system 22000 may provide thermal feedbackregardless of the type of gaming controller by obtaining thermalfeedback data for thermal feedback corresponding to game content,converting the thermal feedback data to thermal feedback control dataunderstandable by the heat output module 1640, and providing the thermalfeedback control data to the heat output module 1640. In this case, thethermal feedback control system 22000 may provide the thermal feedbackcontrol data to a gaming device in real time immediately upon obtainingthe thermal feedback data.

2.2.4. Video Content

In addition, the thermal feedback control system 22000 may also beutilized in video content or the like. Video content is based onaudiovisual forms of expression such as video or audio. The thermalexperience providing system 1000 may add a thermal experience tomultimedia content by outputting thermal feedback corresponding to videoscenes which are expressed audiovisually. The thermal experienceproviding system 1000 may output thermal feedback by, for example,outputting hot feedback in an explosion scene and outputting coldfeedback in a scene in which one is drenched with water.

However, there may be various types of feedback devices related to videocontent, and instruction systems of the feedback devices and dataformats understandable by the feedback devices may be different from oneanother. Therefore, like the previous examples, compatibility betweenvideo content and the various feedback devices may become a problem. Tosolve this problem, the thermal feedback control system 22000 mayimplement thermal reality by obtaining thermal feedback data for thermalfeedback related to video content, converting the thermal feedback datato thermal feedback control data understandable by the feedback device1600, and providing the thermal feedback control data to the feedbackdevice 1600. In this case, the thermal feedback control system 22000 mayprovide the thermal feedback control data to the feedback device 1600 inreal time immediately upon obtaining the thermal feedback data or mayonly provide a single piece of thermal feedback control data includingthe entire thermal feedback information of the video content to thefeedback device 1600.

Various application fields of the thermal feedback control system 22000have been described above, but the application fields of the thermalfeedback control system 22000 are not limited to the above-describedexamples. In addition to being applied to the above-described technicalfields, the thermal feedback control system 22000 may be utilized invarious other multimedia contents including contents for education orlearning or medical applications.

Therefore, in the present invention, the thermal feedback control system22000 should be interpreted as being applicable, without limitations, tofields in which thermal feedback may be provided to improve a userexperience.

IV. Thermal Experience Providing Method Using Feedback Device

Hereinafter, a thermal experience providing method using a feedbackdevice according to an embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed.

1. Thermal Experience Providing System

1.1. Configuration of Thermal Experience Providing System

FIG. 68 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a thermalexperience providing system according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 68 , a thermal experience providing system 1000 mayinclude a mobile device 31200 and a feedback device 31600.

Details described above in Section I may be applied to the thermalexperience providing system 1000 according to the embodiment of thepresent invention.

In addition, details described above in Sections I to III may be appliedto the feedback device 31600 and a heat output module 31640 which willbe described below.

A mobile device 31200 may reproduce multimedia content and output videoor audio according to the content reproduction, and the feedback device31600 may output thermal feedback according to the content reproduction.That is, the mobile device 31200 and the feedback device 31600 may becommunicatively connected, and the feedback device 31600 may obtaininformation for outputting thermal feedback from the mobile device31200. For example, the mobile device 31200 may decode video contentincluding video data/audio data/thermal feedback data and may generate avideo signal, an audio signal, and a thermal feedback signal accordingto the decoded video content. For example, when a thermal event hasoccurred during driving of multimedia content, the mobile device 31200may generate a thermal feedback signal corresponding to the thermalevent. In this case, when types and intensities of a first thermal eventand a second thermal event among thermal events are different, thermalfeedback signals corresponding to each thermal event may also bedifferent. That is, a thermal feedback signal may be determined by athermal event.

In addition, the mobile device 31200 may output video and audioaccording to a video signal and an audio signal and transmit a thermalfeedback signal to the feedback device 31600, and the feedback device31600 may receive the thermal feedback signal and output thermalfeedback.

In addition, the mobile device 31200 and the feedback device 31600 maybe located within a predetermined distance. For example, the mobiledevice 31200 may be in contact with the feedback device 31600 and bemounted on the feedback device 31600.

Hereinafter, each element of the thermal experience providing system1000 will be described in more detail.

1.1.1. Mobile Device

The mobile device 31200 reproduces multimedia content. The mobile device31200 collectively refers to information processing devices owned byusers and may include a smartphone, a tablet, a smart watch, and thelike. For example, the mobile device 31200 may be provided in the formof a smartphone such as Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S(Galaxy Series)™and Apple's iPhone™ series. Generally, the mobile device 31200 includesa display, an audio terminal, a camera, a posture sensor, and the likemounted therein and may be mounted in an HMD to implement virtualreality or augmented reality. Also, the mobile device 31200 may bereferred to by various names such as content providing device andaudiovisual device.

FIG. 69 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a mobile deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 69 , a mobile device 31200 may include a communicationmodule 31210, a memory 31220, a user input module 31230, an audiovisual(AN) module 31240, a power module 31250, a sensing module 31260, avibration module 31270, a camera 31280, and a controller 31290.

The communication module 31210 may perform communication with anexternal device. The mobile device 31200 may transmit and receive datato and from a feedback device 31600 through the communication module31210. For example, the mobile device 31200 may transmit a thermalfeedback signal to the feedback device 31600 through the communicationmodule 31210. In addition, the mobile device 31200 may downloadmultimedia content by connecting to the Internet through thecommunication module 31210.

The communication module 31210 is mainly classified into a wired typeand a wireless type. Since both the wired type and the wireless typehave their own advantages and disadvantages, the wired type and thewireless type may be simultaneously provided in the mobile device 31200according to circumstances.

Typical examples of the wired type include a local area network (LAN)and universal serial bus (USB) communication, but other methods are alsopossible. For example, in the case of the wired type, the communicationmodule 31210 may include a wired communication interface such asRecommended Standard (RS) 232, RS 485, and RS 422.

The wireless type may mostly use wireless personal area network (WPAN)communication methods such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), andZigBee. However, since wireless communication protocols are not limitedthereto, the wireless type communication module may also use wirelesslocal area network (WLAN) communication methods such as Wi-Fi or otherknown communication methods.

Meanwhile, as a wired/wireless communication protocol, an exclusiveprotocol developed by a manufacturer of the mobile device 31200 may alsobe used.

The memory 31220 may store various pieces of information. Various piecesof data may be temporarily or semi-permanently stored in the memory31220. Examples of the memory 31220 may include a hard disk drive (HDD),a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), anda random access memory (RAM). The memory 31220 may be provided in a formmounted in the mobile device 31200 or a form attachable to anddetachable from the mobile device 31200.

Various pieces of data required for operation of the mobile device31200, including an operating system (OS) for driving the mobile device31200 and content to be executed in the mobile device 31200 may bestored in the memory 31220.

The user input module 31230 generates input data for controllingoperation of the mobile device 31200 by the user. The user input module31230 may be configured using a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad(static pressure/static electricity), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and thelike.

The A/V module 31240 may provide audio or video to the user. To thisend, the A/V module 31240 may include a video module 31241 and an audiomodule 31242.

The video module 31241 may generally be provided in the form of adisplay and output a video according to a video signal of the mobiledevice 31200. The audio module 31242 may generally be provided in theform of a speaker and output audio according to an audio signal of themobile device 31200.

The power module 31250 supplies power required for operation of themobile device 31200. The power module 31250 may supply power appliedfrom the outside to each element required for operation of the mobiledevice 31200 and may store electrical energy like a battery and thensupply the electrical energy to each element.

The sensing module 31260 may sense various pieces of information relatedto the mobile device 31200. Typical examples of the sensing module 31260include a posture sensor sensing a posture of the mobile device 31200and a motion sensor sensing motion, and the sensing module 31260 mayalso be a bio sensor sensing a user's body signal. A gyro sensor or anacceleration sensor may be used as the posture sensor or the motionsensor. The bio sensor may include a temperature sensor sensing atemperature of the user's body and an electrocardiogram sensor sensingelectrocardiogram.

The vibration module 31270 may output vibration feedback. Together withthermal feedback, the vibration feedback may serve to further improvethe user's immersion into a game.

The camera 31280 captures a video. The video captured by the camera31280 may be output through the video module 31241. Recognition of anactual space is required to implement augmented reality, and to thisend, the video captured by the camera 31280 may be used. The capturedvideo may also be composed with a virtual video in order to be used ingenerating an augmented video.

The controller 31290 may control the overall operation of the mobiledevice 31200. For example, the controller 31290 may load multimediacontent from the memory 31220 and reproduce the multimedia content ormay generate a control signal for controlling output of video, audio, orthermal feedback according to content reproduction.

The controller 31290 may be implemented with a central processing unit(CPU) or a device similar thereto according to hardware, software, or acombination thereof. The controller 31290 may be provided in the form ofan electronic circuit that processes an electrical signal and performs acontrol function in terms of hardware and may be provided in the form ofa program or code for driving a hardware circuit in terms of software.

1.1.2. Feedback Device

The feedback device 31600 may output thermal feedback according tomultimedia reproduction.

FIG. 70 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a feedbackdevice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 70 , a feedback device 31600 may include a casing31610, a communication module 31620, a heat output module 31640, and afeedback controller 31690.

The casing 31610 forms an exterior of the feedback device 31600 andstores configurations such as the communication module 31620, the heatoutput module 31640, and the feedback controller 31690 therein.Accordingly, the stored configurations may be protected from an externalimpact or the like by the casing 31610.

The overall shape of the casing 31610 may mostly be a pad type (or ajoystick type) for both hands or a bar type (or a stick type) for onehand but is not necessarily limited thereto. For reference, the pad typefor both hands is usually used for games based on conventional twodimensional (2D) displays, and the bar type is usually used for virtualreality, augmented reality, mixed reality (MR), and the like. An exampleof the bar type may include a selfie stick.

A mounting portion 31611 for mounting the mobile device 31200 and a bodyportion 31615 may be provided in the casing 31610. For example, the bodyportion 31615 may be understood as a member other than the mountingportion 31611 in the casing 31610.

The mounting portion 31611 is for holding the mobile device 31200 in thefeedback device 31600, and the mobile device 31200 may be in contactwith and support at the feedback device 31600 by the mounting portion31611. The mounting portion 31611 may be referred to by various namessuch as supporting portion, holding portion, and fixing portion. Sincethe mobile device 31200 is in contact with and supported at the feedbackdevice 31600 through the mounting portion 31611, when the feedbackdevice 31600 is moved, the mobile device 31200 may also be moved, and aposture and/or a location of the mobile device 31200 may be changed.That is, due to the mounting portion 31611, movement of the feedbackdevice 31600 and movement of the mobile device 31200 may be interlockedwith each other.

The mounting portion 31611 may fix the mobile device 31200 by coming incontact with one or more surfaces of the mobile device 31200 andapplying an external force thereto. For example, the mounting portion31611 may include a support member supporting the mobile device 31200and a pressing member applying pressure according to an elastic force ofan elastic member to one or more surfaces of the mobile device 31200.Here, there may be one or more pressing members. For example, when thereare two or more pressing members, the pressing members may applypressure to different surfaces of the mobile device 31200. In this case,a distance between the support member and the pressing members and/or adistance between the pressing members may be adjusted according to awidth of the mobile device 31200.

As another example, the mounting portion 31611 may include anaccommodating portion, and the accommodating portion may accommodate andfix one or more surfaces of the mobile device 31200.

As still another example, the mounting portion 31611 may include afitting member for fitting with the mobile device 31200. For example,when a groove (or a slit) is formed in at least one surface of themobile device 31200, the fitting member may be a protruding member.Conversely, when at least one surface of the mobile device 31200 has aprotruding shape, the fitting member may be a groove member. Also, thegroove of the mobile device 31200 and the protruding member of themounting portion 31611, or the protrusion of the mobile device 31200 andthe groove member of the mounting portion 31611, may be coupled to eachother by sliding.

As yet another example, the mounting portion 31611 may include amagnetic member. The magnetic member may be coupled to the mobile device31200 by a magnetic force. For example, the mobile device 31200 may alsoinclude a magnetic member for coupling to the magnetic member of themounting portion 31611 by a magnetic force.

However, the mounting portion 31611 is not limited to the aboveexamples, and the mounting portion 31611 may include any other shapesand materials capable of supporting and fixing the mobile device 31200.

The body portion 31615 may be provided in various shapes according to atype of the feedback device 31600. For example, when the feedback device31600 is a selfie stick type, the body portion 31615 may have a shapeextending in one direction. Also, depending on types of the feedbackdevice 31600, the body portion 31615 may be configured in the shape of ahandle (a wheel), the shape of a pad (a joystick), the shape of a gun,the shape of a case, and the like.

In addition, the body portion 31615 may include a grip portion for theuser to grip the feedback device 31600. To facilitate the user'sgripping, the grip portion may be formed with a material having a highfrictional force (for example, rubber or urethane) or have a non-slipshape (for example, a concave-convex shape). The grip portion may alsobe formed with a material that well-absorbs sweat generated from theuser's skin.

Here, a contact surface of the heat output module 31640 may be formed atthe grip portion, or the grip portion may correspond to the contactsurface of the heat output module 31640. Also, the grip portion may beprovided on at least a partial region of the body portion 31615. Forexample, in the case of the feedback device 31600 formed in the shape ofa pad for both hands, the grip portion may be formed at two spots, andin the case of the feedback device 31600 formed in the shape of a stick,the grip portion may be formed at one spot. However, two feedbackdevices 31600 each formed in the shape of a stick may be used as a pairin some cases, and here, the grip portion may be formed at each of thetwo feedback devices 31600.

In addition, the body portion 31615 may include an extending portion.The extending portion may expand the body portion 31615. For example,when the feedback device 31600 is a selfie stick type, the body portion31615 may be expanded in a longitudinal direction by the extendingportion.

In addition, the body portion 31615 may include a heat dissipatingportion. The heat dissipating portion may indicate a portion dissipatingwaste heat, which is generated by the heat output module 31640, tooutside the feedback device 31600. Here, the waste heat may refer toresidual heat excluding heat used in providing a thermal experience tothe user from the heat generated by the feedback device 31600. Forexample, the waste heat may include residual heat remaining in thefeedback device 31600 after thermal feedback is output by the heatoutput module 31640. The heat dissipating portion will be described inmore detail below with reference to FIGS. 84 and 85 .

The communication module 31620 performs communication with an externaldevice. The feedback device 31600 may transmit and receive data to andfrom the mobile device 31200 through the communication module 31620. Forexample, the feedback device 31600 may receive a thermal feedback signalfrom the mobile device 31200 through the communication module 31620.

The communication module 31620 is mainly classified into a wired typeand a wireless type. Since both the wired type and the wireless typehave their own advantages and disadvantages, the wired type and thewireless type may be simultaneously provided in a single feedbackcontroller 31690 according to circumstances.

A typical example of the wired type includes USB communication, butother methods are also possible. For example, in the case of the wiredtype, the communication module 31620 may include a wired communicationinterface such as RS 232, RS 485, and RS 422.

The wireless type may mostly use WPAN communication methods such asBluetooth, BLE, and ZigBee. However, since wireless communicationprotocols are not limited thereto, the wireless type communicationmodule 31620 may also use WLAN communication methods such as Wi-Fi orother known communication methods. Meanwhile, as a wired/wirelesscommunication protocol, an exclusive protocol developed by amanufacturer of the feedback device 31600 may also be used.

The heat output module 31640 may output thermal feedback. The thermalfeedback may be output by the heat output module 31640, which includes acontact surface 31641 coming in contact with the user's body and athermoelectric element connected to the contact surface, applying hotheat or cold heat generated by the thermoelectric element, according topower applied thereto, to the user's body through the contact surface31641.

The heat output module 31640 may perform an exothermic operation, anendothermic operation, or a thermal grill operation according to athermal feedback signal received from the mobile device 31200 throughthe communication module 31620 in order to output thermal feedback, andthe user may have a thermal experience due to the output thermalfeedback.

The feedback controller 31690 may control the overall operation of thefeedback device 31600. For example, the feedback controller 31690 mayreceive a thermal feedback signal from the mobile device 31200 throughthe communication module 31620 and apply power to a thermoelectricelement of the heat output module 31640 so that thermal feedbackaccording to the thermal feedback signal is output.

The feedback controller 31690 may be implemented with a CPU or a devicesimilar thereto according to hardware, software, or a combinationthereof. The feedback controller 31690 may be provided in the form of anelectronic circuit that processes an electrical signal and may perform acontrol function in terms of hardware and may be provided in the form ofa program or code for driving a hardware circuit in terms of software.

In an embodiment, in order to be communicatively connected to the mobiledevice 31200, the feedback controller 31690 may control thecommunication module 31620 so that a communication channel with themobile device 31200 is established. For example, the communicationmodule 31620 may be paired using a Bluetooth method according to controlof the feedback controller 31690 and may establish a Bluetooth channelwith the mobile device 31200.

In an embodiment, when the mobile device 31200 is disposed within apredetermined distance from the feedback controller 31690, the feedbackcontroller 31690 may control the communication module 31620 so that acommunication channel with the mobile device 31200 is established. Here,the communication channel may refer to a wired communication channeland/or a wireless communication channel.

For example, the feedback controller 31690 may obtain a strength of asignal received from the mobile device 31200, and when the strength ofthe received signal is a predetermined value or higher, the feedbackcontroller 31690 may control the communication module 31620 so that acommunication channel with the mobile device 31200 is established. Here,the strength of the received signal may indicate a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) known in the art but may also refer to a valueother than the RSSI capable of indicating a strength of a receivedsignal.

In another embodiment, the feedback controller 31690 may determinewhether the mobile device 31200 is mounted on the mounting portion31611, and when the mobile device 31200 is mounted on the mountingportion 31611, the feedback controller 31690 may control thecommunication module 31620 so that a communication channel with themobile device 31200 is established. For example, the mounting portion31611 may include a switch portion, and the switch portion may beconfigured to come in contact with the mobile device 31200 when themobile device 31200 is mounted on the mounting portion 31611. When theswitch portion is in contact with the mobile device 31200, the feedbackcontroller 31690 may determine that the mobile device 31200 is mountedon the mounting portion 31611 and control the communication module 31620so that a communication channel with the mobile device 31200 isestablished. As another example, the mounting portion 31611 may includea sensor capable of sensing contact with the mobile device 31200, andthe feedback controller 31690 may determine whether the mobile device31200 is mounted on the mounting portion 31611 through a change in asensing quantity of the sensor.

FIG. 71 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a feedbackdevice according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 71 , the feedback device 31600 described above withreference to FIG. 70 may further include a sensing module 31630, avibration module 31650, a power module 31660, a user input module 31680,and a memory 31685 in addition to the casing 31610, the communicationmodule 31620, the heat output module 31640, and the feedback controller31690.

The sensing module 31630 may sense various pieces of information relatedto the feedback device 31600. Typical examples of the sensing module31630 include a posture sensor sensing a posture of the feedback device31600 and a motion sensor sensing motion of the feedback device 31600,and the sensing module 31630 may also be a bio sensor sensing a user'sbody signal. A gyro sensor or an acceleration sensor may be used as theposture sensor or the motion sensor. The bio sensor may include atemperature sensor sensing a temperature of the user's body and anelectrocardiogram sensor sensing electrocardiogram. Also, as describedabove, the sensing module 31630 may sense whether the mobile device31200 is mounted on the mounting portion 31611.

The vibration module 31650 may output vibration feedback. Together withthermal feedback, the vibration feedback may serve to further improvethe user's immersion into a game. For example, the vibration feedbackmay be generated when a character in a game is involved in an explosionscene or receives an impact due to falling from a high place. Meanwhile,although it will be described below, vibration feedback and thermalfeedback may be linked to each other.

The user input module 31680 may obtain a user input from the user. Forexample, when the feedback device 31600 is of a game pad type, a userinput is mostly a user command related to a game, and examples of theuser input may include manipulation of a character in a game, selectionof a menu, and the like. As another example, when the feedback device31600 is a selfie stick type, a user input may be a command for taking apicture.

As still another example, a user input may be a user command forestablishing a communication channel with the mobile device 31200. Theuser input module 31680 may mostly be a button or a stick, and the usermay input a user input by pressing the button or manipulating the stickin a specific direction. Of course, the user input module 31680 is notlimited to the above-described examples.

The memory 31685 may store various pieces of information. The memory31685 may store data temporarily or semi-permanently. Examples of thememory 31685 may include an HDD, an SSD, a flash memory, a ROM, and aRAM. The memory 31685 may be provided in a form mounted in the feedbackdevice 31600 or a form attachable to and detachable from the feedbackdevice 31600.

Various pieces of data required or used for an OS for driving thefeedback device 31600 or for the operation of the feedback device 31600may be stored in the memory 31685.

The power module 31660 supplies power required for operation of thefeedback device 31600. The power module 31660 may supply power appliedfrom the outside to each element required for operation of the feedbackdevice 31600 and may store electrical energy like a battery and thensupply the electrical energy to each element.

In an embodiment, the power module 31660 may receive electricity from anexternal device through a wired port such as a USB port. Of course, thewired port includes a port capable of receiving electricity other thanthe USB port. The power module 31660 may also receive electricitywirelessly from an external device through a wireless charging port. Forexample, the power module 31660 may receive electricity from the powermodule 31250 of the mobile device 31200 through a wired or wirelessport. The power received from the external device may be stored in abattery of the power module 31660.

In another embodiment, electricity stored in the power module 31660 maybe transmitted to the power module 31250 of the mobile device 31200through the wired port and/or the wireless port. That is, by providingelectricity to the mobile device 31200, the feedback device 31600 mayserve as a portable battery for the mobile device 31200.

In another embodiment, when electricity stored in a battery is at apredetermined level or lower, the power module 31660 may notify the userof information indicating that the battery is at a predetermined levelor lower. For example, when the feedback device 31600 includes anotifying part (for example, a light emitting diode (LED), a display, orthe like) capable of outputting a message to the user, the feedbackcontroller 31690 may output battery state information through thenotifying part. As another example, the feedback controller 31690 mayoutput battery state information through the heat output module 31640.As an example, the feedback controller 31690 may control the heat outputmodule 31640 so that hot feedback and cold feedback are alternatelyoutput for a predetermined amount of time. As still another example, thefeedback controller 31690 may output battery state information throughthe mobile device 31200. As an example, the feedback controller 31690may transmit battery state information to the mobile device 31200through the communication module 31620, and the mobile device 31200 mayoutput information indicating that a state-of-charge of the battery is apredetermined level or lower through the A/V module 31240 according tothe obtained battery state information.

The feedback controller 31690 may perform the overall control of thefeedback device 31600. For example, the feedback controller 31690 maytransmit a user input which is input to the user input module 31680 orposture information on the feedback device 31600 which is sensed by thesensing module 31630 to the mobile device 31200 by using thecommunication module 31620 or, conversely, may receive a vibrationsignal from the mobile device 31200 through the communication module31620 and cause the vibration sensor to generate vibration feedback. Thefeedback controller 31690 may also receive a thermal feedback requestsignal from the mobile device 31200 through the communication module31620 and control the heat output module 31640 to generate thermalfeedback.

In an embodiment, in order to save electricity, the feedback controller31690 may block a communication connection with the mobile device 31200when the feedback device 31600 is not moving. For example, when asensing value of the sensor, which senses movement of the feedbackdevice 31600, of the sensing module 31630 does not change for apredetermined amount of time, the feedback controller 31690 may controlthe communication module 31620 to stop the communication connection withthe mobile device 31200.

In an embodiment, when the mobile device 31200 is mounted on themounting portion 31611, if vibration is output from the vibration module31270 of the mobile device 31200, coupling between the mobile device31200 and the mounting portion 31611 may be weakened due to thevibration. Also, when the mobile device 31200 is mounted on the mountingportion 31611, the user may not perceive vibration even if the vibrationis output from the mobile device 31200. To solve such a problem, whenthe mobile device 31200 is mounted on the mounting portion 31611, thefeedback controller 31690 may transmit a request signal to the mobiledevice 31200 to turn off a vibration output of the vibration module31270 of the mobile device 31200, and the controller 31290 of the mobiledevice 31200 may turn off the vibration output of the vibration module31270 according to the request signal. Further, when vibration feedbackhas to be output from the mobile device 31200, the mobile device 31200may transmit a vibration feedback signal to the feedback device 31600through the communication module 31210, and the feedback controller31690 may control the vibration module 31270 to output vibrationaccording to the vibration feedback signal. Accordingly, vibrationfeedback may be better transmitted to the user while the couplingbetween the mobile device 31200 at the mounting portion 31611 and thefeedback controller 31690 is not weakened.

1.1.2.1. Implementations of Feedback Device

The feedback device 31600 having the above-described configuration maybe implemented in various forms. Hereinafter, some implementations ofthe feedback device 31600 will be described.

FIG. 72 is a schematic diagram of a first implementation of the feedbackdevice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the present implementation, a feedback device 31600-1 may be providedin the form of a selfie stick. The feedback device 31600-1 may includemounting portions 31611-1 and a body portion 31615-1. The mountingportions 31611-1 may come in contact with two surfaces of a mobiledevice 31200-1 and apply an external force thereto in order to supportand fix the mobile device 31200-1. Also, a distance between the mountingportions 31611-1 may be adjusted according to a width of the mobiledevice 31200-1.

The body portion 31615-1 may include a grip portion 31616-1 and anextending portion 31617-1. The body portion 31615-1 may include acommunication module 31620, and the feedback device 31600-1 may beconnected to the mobile device 31200-1 by a wired or wirelesscommunication method through the communication module 31620.

A contact surface of a heat output module 31640 may be disposed on aninner surface or an outer surface of at least a portion of the bodyportion 31616-1, and the feedback device 31600-1 may output thermalfeedback through the contact surface of the heat output module 31640 bybeing linked to the mobile device 31200-1.

The extending portion 31617-1 may expand in a longitudinal direction. Alength of the extending portion 31617-1 may be adjusted mostly for thepurpose of facilitating a photographing function, which is an originalfunction of a selfie stick.

In addition, a battery connecting line 31612-1 and a wired communicationline 31613-1 may be provided in the body portion 31615-1. The batteryconnecting line 31612-1 may transmit electricity stored in the powermodule 31250 of the mobile device 31200-1 to the power module 31660 ofthe feedback device 31600-1, and the power module 31660 of the feedbackdevice 31600-1 may store the received electricity. The wiredcommunication line 31613-1 may transmit data which is transmitted andreceived between the mobile device 31200-1 and the feedback device31600-1. For example, a thermal feedback signal may be transmitted fromthe mobile device 31200-1 to the feedback device 31600-1 through thewired communication line 31613-1. As another example, a photographingsignal may be transmitted from the feedback device 31600-1 to the mobiledevice 31200-1 through the wired communication line 31613-1.

FIG. 73 is a schematic diagram of a second implementation of thefeedback device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the present implementation, a feedback device 31600-2 may be providedin the form of a selfie stick. The feedback device 31600-2 may includemounting portions 31611-2 and a body portion 31615-2.

The mounting portions 31611-2 may come in contact with three surfaces ofa mobile device 31200-2 and apply an external force thereto in order tosupport and fix the mobile device 31200-2. Also, a distance between themounting portions 31611-2 may be adjusted according to a width of themobile device 31200-2.

The body portion 31615-2 may include a grip portion 31616-2. Althoughthe grip portion 31616-2 is shown as being disposed at an intermediateregion of the body portion 31615-2 in FIG. 73 , embodiments are notlimited thereto, and the grip portion 31616-2 may also be disposed at anupper region or a lower region of the body portion 31615-2 or may be theentire region of the body portion 31615-2. A contact surface of a heatoutput module 31640 may be disposed on an inner surface or an outersurface of at least a portion of the grip portion 31616-2, and thefeedback device 31600-2 may output thermal feedback through the contactsurface of the heat output module 31640 by being linked to the mobiledevice 31200-2.

FIG. 74 is a schematic diagram of a third implementation of the feedbackdevice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the present implementation, a feedback device 31600-3 may be providedin the form of a selfie stick. The feedback device 31600-3 may include amounting portion 31611-3 and a body portion 31615-3.

The mounting portion 31611-3 may include a magnetic member, and a mobiledevice 31200-3 may be supported and fixed on the mounting portion31611-3 by the magnetic member using a magnetic force. For example, amagnetic member may be attached to the mobile device 31200-3, and themagnetic member of the mounting portion 31611-3 and the magnetic memberof the mobile device 31200-3 may be coupled to each other by a magneticforce such that the mobile device 31200-3 is mounted on the mountingportion 31611-3.

The body portion 31615-3 may include a grip portion 31616-3 and a heatdissipating portion 31618-1.

Although the grip portion 31612-3 and the heat dissipating portion31618-1 are shown as being respectively disposed at an intermediateregion and a lower region of the body portion 31615-2 in FIG. 74 ,embodiments are not limited thereto, and the grip portion 31616-3 andthe heat dissipating portion 31618-1 may also be disposed on any of anupper region, the intermediate region, and the lower region of the bodyportion 31615-3. The grip portion 31616-3 and the heat dissipatingportion 31618-1 may also be disposed at the entire region of the bodyportion 31615-3. A contact surface of a heat output module 31640 may bedisposed at an inner surface or an outer surface of at least a portionof the grip portion 31616-2, and the feedback device 31600-2 may outputthermal feedback through the contact surface of the heat output module31640 by being linked to the mobile device 31200-2.

The heat dissipating portion 31618-1 may dissipate waste heat, which isgenerated in the feedback device 31600-3 due to output of thermalfeedback, to the outside. The heat dissipating portion 31618-1 will bedescribed below in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 84 and 85 .

FIG. 75 is a schematic diagram of a fourth implementation of thefeedback device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the present implementation, a feedback device 31600-4 may be providedin the shape of a pad gripped by both hands like Dual Shock™ for Sony'sPlaystation™ or a gaming controller for Microsoft's Xbox™.

The feedback device 31600-4 may include mounting portions 31611-4 and abody portion 31615-4.

The mounting portions 31611-4 may come in contact with two surfaces of amobile device 31200-4 and apply an external force thereto in order tosupport and fix the mobile device 31200-4. Also, a distance between themounting portions 31611-4 may be adjusted according to a width of themobile device 31200-4. Of course, embodiments are not limited thereto,and the mounting portions 31611-4 may include a magnetic member formounting the mobile device 31200-4 using a magnetic force.

The body portion 31615-2 may include grip portions 31616-4. The gripportions 31616-4 may be provided in plural at two regions of the bodyportion 31615-4 spaced apart from each other so that the grip portions31616-4 may be gripped by both hands. A contact surface of a heat outputmodule 31640 may be formed on each grip portion 31616-4. The feedbackdevice 31600-4 may output thermal feedback through the contact surfacesof the heat output module 31640 by being linked to the mobile device31200-4.

FIG. 76 is a schematic diagram of a fifth implementation of the feedbackdevice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the present implementation, a feedback device 31600-5 may be providedin the form of a gaming controller gripped by one hand like Nintendo'sNintendo Switch™ controller.

The feedback device 31600-5 may include a mounting portion 31611-5 and abody portion 31615-5.

The mounting portion 31611-5 may include a protruding member, and theprotruding member of the mounting portion 31611-5 may be coupled to agroove member, which is formed at one surface of the mobile device31200-5, by sliding. Also, when there are two feedback devices 31600-5,the feedback devices 31600-5 may be respectively coupled to groovemembers formed at both surfaces of the mobile device 31200-5 by sliding.

A grip portion may be provided at the entire region of the body portion31615-5. A contact surface of a heat output module 31640 may be formedon at least one surface of the body portion 31615-5 (for example, a sidesurface of the body portion 31615-5). The feedback device 31600-5 mayoutput thermal feedback through the contact surface of the heat outputmodule 31640 by being linked to the mobile device 31200-5.

FIG. 77 is a schematic diagram of a sixth implementation of the feedbackdevice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the present implementation, a feedback device 31600-6 may be providedin the shape of a handle that is mostly used in a racing game.

The feedback device 31600-6 may include a mounting portion 31611-6 and abody portion 31615-6.

The mounting portion 31611-6 may include an accommodating member, andthe accommodating member may accommodate and fix two or more surfaces ofa mobile device 31200-6.

A grip portion may be provided on at least a partial region of the bodyportion 31615-6. For example, the body portion 31615-6 may include aring member, and the grip portion may be provided at two regions of thering member or at the entire region of the ring member.

In addition, a contact surface of a heat output module 31640 may beformed on at least one surface of the body portion 31615-6. For example,the contact surface may be formed at two regions or the entire region ofthe ring member.

The feedback device 31600-6 may output thermal feedback through thecontact surface of the heat output module 31640 by being linked to themobile device 31200-6.

FIG. 78 is a schematic diagram of a seventh implementation of thefeedback device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the present implementation, a feedback device 31600-7 may be providedin the shape of a gun gripped by one hand or both hands.

The feedback device 31600-7 may include mounting portions 31611-7 and abody portion 31615-7.

The mounting portions 31611-7 may come in contact with two surfaces of amobile device 31200-7 and apply an external force thereto in order tosupport and fix the mobile device 31200-7. Also, a distance between themounting portions 31611-7 may be adjusted according to a size of themobile device 31200-7. Of course, embodiments are not limited thereto,and the mounting portions 31611-7 may include a magnetic member formounting the mobile device 31200-7 using a magnetic force.

The body portion 31615-7 may be formed in the shape of a gun, and anexterior thereof may include a trigger, a handle, a barrel, a barrelcover, and the like. Also, the exterior of the gun may be formed invarious shapes according to various aspects. Also, the body portion31615-7 may include a grip portion 31616-7. For example, the gripportion 31616-7 may be formed at a handle region of the body portion31615-7. For example, in FIG. 78A, a single handle region may be formed,and the grip portion 31616-7 may be formed at the single handle region.On the other hand, in FIG. 78B, two handle regions may be formed, andthe grip portion 31616-7 may be formed at each of the two handleregions.

In addition, according to circumstances, the grip portion 31616-7 may beformed at a portion other than the handle region. For example, in FIG.78A, the grip portion 31616-7 may be formed at various regions, such asa barrel cover region 31616-7 a, other than the handle region of thebody portion 31615-7. A contact surface of a heat output module 31640may be disposed at an inner surface or an outer surface of at least aportion of each of the grip portions 31616-7 and 31616-7 a, and thefeedback device 31600-7 may output thermal feedback through the contactsurface of the heat output module 31640 by being linked to the mobiledevice 31200-7.

FIG. 79 is a schematic diagram of an eighth implementation of thefeedback device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the present implementation, a feedback device 31600-8 may be formedin the shape of a case for protecting a mobile device 31200-8 from anexternal force. FIG. 79A shows a front surface of the feedback device31600-8, and FIG. 79B shows a rear surface of the feedback device31600-8.

The feedback device 31600-8 may include a mounting portion 31611-8 and abody portion 31615-8.

The mounting portion 31611-8 may include an accommodating member. Theaccommodating member may be formed at an inner surface of the bodyportion 31615-8 and may accommodate two or more surfaces of the mobiledevice 31200-8. By the mobile device 31200-8 being accommodated in theaccommodating member, the mobile device 31200-8 may be fixed to thefeedback device 31600-8.

A grip portion may be provided on at least a partial region of the bodyportion 31615-8. For example, grip portions 31616-8 a may be formed atside surfaces of the body portion 31615-8, and/or grip portions 31616-8b may be formed at a rear surface of the body portion 31615-8. However,embodiments are not limited thereto, and the body portion 31615-8 maycorrespond to any region at which the feedback device 31600-8 is grippedby the user.

In addition, a contact surface of a heat output module 31640 may beformed on at least a partial region of the body portion 31615-8. Forexample, the contact surface may be formed on at least a partial regionof each of the grip portions 31615-8 a and 31615-8 b. The feedbackdevice 31600-8 may output thermal feedback through the contact surfaceof the heat output module 31640 by being linked to the mobile device31200-8. According to a location of the contact surface, a thermalexperience may be transferred to the user's finger or palm.

2. Heat Output Module and Heat Dissipating Member

2.1. Outline of Heat Output Module

A heat output module 31640 may output thermal feedback transferring hotheat and cold heat to the user by performing an exothermic operation, anendothermic operation, or a thermal grill operation. The description onthe heat output module 1640 given above in Section I may be applied tothe heat output module 31640 which will be described below. Of course,description on the heat output module 31640 which will be given belowmay also be applied to the heat output module 1640 which has beendescribed above in Section I.

The heat output module 31640 mounted in the feedback device 31600 in thethermal experience providing system 1000 outputs thermal feedback whenthe feedback device 31600 receives a thermal feedback signal so that thethermal experience providing system 1000 provides a thermal experienceto the user.

To perform the above-described exothermic operation, endothermicoperation, or thermal grill operation, the heat output module 31640 mayuse a thermoelement such as a Peltier element.

The Peltier effect is a thermoelectric phenomenon discovered by JeanPeltier in 1834 and refers to a phenomenon in which, when two differentmetals are joined and then a current is applied, an exothermic reactionoccurs at one side and a cooling reaction occurs at the other sidedepending on a direction of the current. The Peltier element is anelement that causes the Peltier effect. Although the Peltier element wasinitially formed with an alloy of different metals such as bismuth andantimony, the Peltier element has recently been manufactured by a methodin which an N type and P type semiconductor is arranged between twometal plates to have higher thermoelectric efficiency.

Because heat generation and heat absorption are immediately induced inmetal plates at both sides of the Peltier element when a current isapplied thereto, the heat generation and the heat absorption may beswitched according to a direction of the current, and an extent of theheat generation or the heat absorption may be relatively preciselyadjusted according to the amount of the current, and the Peltier elementis appropriate to be used in the exothermic operation or the endothermicoperation for thermal feedback. Particularly, as a flexiblethermoelement has recently been developed, the heat output module 31640may be manufactured in the form that is easy to come into contact with auser's body, and commercial usability of the feedback device 31600 isenhanced.

Accordingly, as electricity is applied to the above-describedthermoelectric element, the heat output module 31640 may perform theexothermic operation or the endothermic operation. In terms of physics,an exothermic reaction and an endothermic reaction simultaneously occurin a thermoelectric element that has received electricity. However, inthe present specification, an operation of the heat output module 31640in which a surface in contact with a user's body generates heat will bedefined as the exothermic operation, and an operation of the heat outputmodule 31640 in which the surface absorbs heat will be defined as theendothermic operation. For example, the thermoelectric element may beconfigured by disposing an N type and P type semiconductor on asubstrate 31642. Here, when a current is applied, heat generation occursat one side and heat absorption occurs at the other side. Here, when aside surface toward the user's body is referred to as a front surfaceand a surface opposite the front surface is referred to as a rearsurface, an operation of the heat output module 31640 in which heatgeneration occurs at the front surface and heat absorption occurs at therear surface may be defined as the exothermic operation, and,conversely, an operation of the heat output module 31640 in which heatabsorption occurs at the front surface and heat generation occurs at therear surface may be defined as the endothermic operation.

Because the thermoelectric effect is induced by a charge flowing in thethermoelectric element, electricity that induces the exothermicoperation or the endothermic operation of the heat output module 31640may be described in terms of a current. However, in the presentspecification, for convenience of description, the electricity will becollectively described in terms of a voltage. However, this is merelyfor convenience of description, and inventive thinking is not requiredfor one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present inventionpertains (hereinafter referred to as “person skill in the art”) to alterthe description in terms of a voltage into description in terms of acurrent to interpret the description in terms of a current. Therefore,the present invention should not be limitedly interpreted in terms of avoltage.

2.2. Configuration of Heat Output Module

FIG. 80 is a block diagram related to a configuration of the feedbackdevice according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 80 , a feedback device 31600 includes a communicationmodule 31620, a feedback controller 31690, and a heat output module31640.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the feedbackcontroller 31690 may be a configuration differentiated from the heatoutput module 31640 or may also be included in the heat output module31640. Also, embodiments are not limited thereto, and when the feedbackcontroller 31690 is present outside the heat output module 31640, afeedback controller separate from the feedback controller 31690 may bepresent inside the heat output module 31640. In the presentspecification, for convenience of description, description will be givenby assuming that the feedback controller 31690 is a configurationdifferentiated from the heat output module 31640.

The heat output module 31640 may include a contact surface 31641, asubstrate 31642, a thermoelectric couple array 31643 disposed on thesubstrate 31642, and a power terminal 31649 applying power to the heatoutput module 31640.

The contact surface 31641 directly comes into contact with a user's bodyand transfers hot heat or cold heat generated in the heat output module31640 to the user's skin. In other words, a portion of an outer surfaceof the feedback device 31600 directly coming into contact with theuser's body may be the contact surface 31641.

For example, FIG. 81 is a view for describing arrangement of a contactsurface according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referringto FIG. 81 , the contact surface 31641 may be formed on at least aportion of the body portion 31615 of the feedback device 31600. Forexample, the contact surface 31641 may be formed at a grip portion ofthe body portion 31615 gripped by a user. However, embodiments are notlimited thereto, and the contact surface 31641 may also be formed at theentire body portion 31615.

In an embodiment, the contact surface 31641 may be provided as a layerwhich is directly or indirectly attached to an outer surface of athermoelectric couple array 31643 (toward the user's body) performingthe exothermic operation or the endothermic operation in the heat outputmodule 31640. The contract surface 31641 having such a form may bedisposed between the thermoelectric couple array 31643 and the user'sskin to perform heat transfer. To this end, the contact surface 31641may be formed with a material with high thermal conductivity so thatheat transfer is well-performed from the thermoelectric couple array31643 to the user's body. The layer type contact surface 31641 alsoserves to protect the thermoelectric couple array 31643 from an externalimpact by preventing the thermoelectric couple array 31643 from beingdirectly exposed to the outside.

Meanwhile, although the contact surface 31641 has been described aboveas being a separate configuration disposed at the outer surface of thethermoelectric couple array 31643, to the contrary, the outer surfaceitself of the thermoelectric couple array 31643 may also be the contactsurface 31641. In other words, a portion of a front surface of thethermoelectric couple array 31643 or the entire front surface thereofmay be the contact surface 31641.

The substrate 31642 serves to support a unit thermoelectric couple 31645and is formed of an insulating material. For example, ceramic may beselected as a material of the substrate 31642. The substrate 31642 mayalso be formed in the shape of a flat plate, but embodiments are notnecessarily limited thereto.

The substrate 31642 may be formed of a flexible material havingflexibility that may be universally used for various types of feedbackdevices 31600 having various shapes of contact surfaces 31641. Forexample, in a gaming controller type feedback device 31600, a portion ofthe gaming controller gripped by the user's palm mostly has a curvedshape, and in order to use the heat output module 31640 at such a curvedportion, it may be important that the heat output module 31640 hasflexibility. Examples of flexible materials used for the substrate 31642may include glass fiber, flexible plastic, or the like.

The thermoelectric couple array 31643 is formed of a plurality of unitthermoelectric couples 31645 disposed on the substrate 31642. Although apair of different metals (for example, bismuth and antimony) may be usedas the unit thermoelectric couple 31645, a pair of N type and P typesemiconductors may mostly be used.

Semiconductors constituting a semiconductor couple are electricallyconnected to each other at one end of the unit thermoelectric couple31645, and the unit thermoelectric couple 31645 is electricallyconnected to another unit thermoelectric couple 31645 at the other endof the unit thermoelectric couple 31645. An electrical connectionbetween semiconductors 31645 a and 31645 b constituting a semiconductorcouple or with an adjacent semiconductor may be performed by a conductormember 31646 disposed on the substrate 31642. The conductor member 31646may be a lead wire or an electrode formed of copper, silver, or thelike.

The electrical connection between the unit thermoelectric couples 31645may be mostly performed by serial connection, the serially connectedunit thermoelectric couples 31645 may form a thermoelectric couple group31644, and the thermoelectric couple group 31644 may form thethermoelectric couple array 31643.

The power terminal 31649 may apply power to the heat output module31640. The thermoelectric couple array 31643 may generate heat or absorbheat according to a voltage value or a direction of a current of powerapplied to the power terminal 31649. More specifically, two powerterminals 31649 may be connected to a single thermoelectric couple group31644. Consequently, when a plurality of thermoelectric couple groups31644 are present, two power terminals 31649 may be disposed for each ofthe thermoelectric couple groups 31644. According to such a connectionmethod, a voltage value or a direction of a current may be separatelycontrolled for each of the thermoelectric couple groups 31644, andwhether to perform heat generation or heat absorption and an extentthereof may be adjusted.

As will be described below, the power terminal 31649 receives anelectrical signal output by the feedback controller 31690, andaccordingly, as a result, the feedback controller 31690 may adjust adirection or magnitude of the electrical signal and control theexothermic operation and the endothermic operation of the heat outputmodule 31640. Also, when the plurality of thermoelectric couple groups31644 are present, an electrical signal applied to each power terminal31649 may be separately adjusted for each thermoelectric couple group31644.

The feedback controller 31690 may apply an electrical signal to thethermoelectric couple array 31643 through the power terminal 31649.Specifically, the feedback controller 31690 may receive information onthermal feedback from the controller 31290 of the mobile device 31200through the communication module 31620, interpret the information onthermal feedback to determine a type or an intensity of the thermalfeedback, generate an electrical signal according to a result of thedetermination, and apply the generated electrical signal to the powerterminal 31649 so that the thermoelectric couple array 31643 may outputthe thermal feedback.

To this end, the feedback controller 31690 may compute and processvarious pieces of information, output an electrical signal to thethermoelectric couple array 31643 according to a result of processing,and control an operation of the thermoelectric couple array 31643.Therefore, the feedback controller 31690 may be implemented with acomputer or an apparatus similar thereto according to hardware,software, or a combination thereof. The feedback controller 31690 may beprovided in the form of an electronic circuit that processes anelectrical signal and performs a control function in terms of hardwareand may be provided in the form of a program or code for driving ahardware circuit in terms of software.

The above-described heat output module 31640 may also be provided inplural in the feedback device 31600. For example, when the feedbackdevice 31600 has a plurality of grip portions 31616-4 as illustrated inFIG. 75 , the heat output module 31640 may be mounted for each gripportion 31616-4 of the feedback device 31600.

When the plurality of heat output modules 31640 are provided in a singlefeedback device 31600 in this way, the feedback controller 31690 maycollectively manage all of the heat output modules 31640, or thefeedback controller 31690 may be provided for each of the heat outputmodules 31640. Also, when the feedback device 31600 is provided inplural in the thermal experience providing system 1000 as illustrated inFIG. 76 , a single heat output module 31640 or a plurality of heatoutput modules 31640 may be disposed in each feedback device 31600.

2.3. Form of Heat Output Module

Some typical forms of the heat output module 31640 will be described onthe basis of the above-described configuration of the heat output module31640.

FIG. 82 is a view related to a form of a heat output module according toan embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 82 , in one form of the heat output module 31640, apair of substrates 31642 are provided to face each other. The contactsurface 31641 may be disposed at an outer side of one of the twosubstrates 31642 and transfer heat generated by the heat output module31640 to the user's body. Also, when a flexible substrate 31642 is usedas the substrate 31642, flexibility may be imparted to the heat outputmodule 31640.

The plurality of unit thermoelectric couples 31645 are located betweenthe substrates 31642. Each of the unit thermoelectric couples 31645includes a semiconductor couple that consists of an N-type semiconductorand a P-type semiconductor. In each of the unit thermoelectric couples31645, one ends of the N-type semiconductor and the P-type semiconductorare electrically connected to each other by the conductor member 31646.Also, unit elements are electrically connected by a method in which theother ends of an N-type semiconductor and a P-type semiconductor of anyunit thermoelectric couple 31645 are connected to the other ends of aP-type semiconductor and an N-type semiconductor of an adjacent unitthermoelectric couple 31645 by the conductor member 31646. Accordingly,the connected unit elements are serially connected and form a singlethermoelectric couple group 31644. In the present form, because anentire thermoelectric couple array 31643 is formed of a singlethermoelectric couple group 31644, and because the entirety of the unitthermoelectric couples 31645 are serially connected between the powerterminals 31649, the heat output module 31640 performs the sameoperation throughout front surfaces of the entire unit thermoelectriccouples 31645. That is, the heat output module 31640 may perform theexothermic operation when power is applied to the power terminal 31649in one direction and may perform the endothermic operation when power isapplied to the power terminal 31649 in the other direction.

FIG. 83 is a view related to another form of the heat output moduleaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 83 , the other form of the heat output module 31640 issimilar to the above-described form. However, in the present form, thethermoelectric couple array 31643 has a plurality of thermoelectriccouple groups 31644, and each of the thermoelectric couple groups 31644is connected to one of the power terminals 31649. Accordingly, each ofthe thermoelectric couple groups 31644 may be separately controlled. Forexample, in FIG. 33 , currents in different directions may be applied toa first thermoelectric couple group 31644-1 and a second thermoelectriccouple group 31644-2 so that the first thermoelectric couple group31644-1 performs the exothermic operation (here, a direction of acurrent is “forward direction”), and the second thermoelectric couplegroup 31644-2 performs the endothermic operation (here, a direction of acurrent is “reverse direction”). As another example, different voltagevalues may be applied to a power terminal of the first thermoelectriccouple group 31644-1 and a power terminal of the second thermoelectriccouple group 31644-2 so that the first thermoelectric couple group31644-1 and the second thermoelectric couple group 31644-2 perform theexothermic operation and the endothermic operation to different extents.

Meanwhile, although the thermoelectric couple groups 31644 areillustrated in FIG. 83 as being arranged in a one-dimensional array inthe thermoelectric couple array 31643, to the contrary, thethermoelectric couple groups 31644 may also be arranged in atwo-dimensional array. Meanwhile, although the above-described forms ofthe heat output module 32640 have been described as using the pair ofsubstrates 31642 facing each other, to the contrary, only a singlesubstrate 31642 may also be used.

The above-described various forms of the heat output module 31640 may becombined or modified by a person skilled in the art within theself-evident scope. For example, although the contact surface 31641 hasbeen described as being formed as a separate layer from the heat outputmodule 31640 at the front surface of the heat output module 31640 ineach of the forms of the heat output module 31640, the front surfaceitself of the heat output module 31640 may be the contact surface 31641.For example, in one form of the above-described heat output module31640, an outer surface of the substrate 31642 may be the contactsurface 31641.

2.4. Heat Dissipating Member

FIG. 84 is a block diagram related to a configuration of a feedbackdevice according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 84 , a feedback device 31600 includes a communicationmodule 31620, a feedback controller 31690, a heat output module 31640,and a heat dissipating member 31670. Since description given above withreference to FIG. 80 may be applied as it is to the communication module31620, the feedback controller 31690, and the heat output module 31640,further details thereof will be omitted.

The heat dissipating member 31670 is included in the heat dissipatingportion described above with reference to FIGS. 70 to 74 . The heatdissipating member 31670 may receive waste heat generated in the heatoutput module 31640, for example, in the contact surface 31641, thesubstrate 31642, and the thermoelectric couple array 31643, due tooutput of thermal feedback and may dissipate the waste heat to outsidethe feedback device 31600. Here, the term waste heat may refer toresidual heat excluding heat used in providing a thermal experience tothe user from the heat generated by the feedback device 31600. Forexample, in the case in which the heat output module 31640 performs theendothermic operation, when a side surface toward the user's body isreferred to as a front surface and a surface opposite the front surfaceis referred to as a rear surface, heat absorption occurs at the frontsurface and heat generation occurs at the rear surface in the heatoutput module 31640. In this case, heat generated at the rear surfaceshould not be transferred to the user. When the heat is transferred tothe user, the heat degrades a thermal experience of the user. Also,configurations included in the feedback device 31600 may be deteriorateddue to the heat generated at the rear surface. Therefore, heat generatedat the rear surface during the endothermic operation may become wasteheat. As another example, when the heat output module 31640 performs theexothermic operation, heat generation occurs at the front surface, andthe heat generated at the front surface is used in a thermal experienceof the user. However, residual heat may be generated at the frontsurface even after the exothermic operation has stopped, and suchresidual heat degrades the thermal experience of the user. Therefore,the residual heat at the front surface during the exothermic operationmay also become waste heat. In addition, any heat degrading the thermalexperience of the user from the heat generated by the feedback device31600 may become waste heat.

In an embodiment, the heat dissipating member 31670 may be disposed inthe heat dissipating portion of the casing 31610. Accordingly, wasteheat generated in the heat output module 31640 may be discharged to theheat dissipating portion of the casing 31610 via the heat dissipatingmember 31670. In an embodiment, a heat transfer member may connect theheat output module 31640 and the heat dissipating member 31670. In thiscase, the heat transfer member may transfer the waste heat generated inthe heat output module to the heat dissipating member 31670. An exampleof the heat transfer member includes a heat pipe. Of course, the heattransfer member is not limited to the heat pipe, and the heat transfermember may include any configuration capable of transferring heat.

In addition, the heat dissipating member 31670 may be the heatdissipating portion itself of the casing 31610. For example, a cavityportion may be formed in the heat dissipating portion of the casing31610, and waste heat may be dissipated to the outside through thecavity portion of the heat dissipating portion.

FIG. 85 is a schematic diagram of an implementation of a heatdissipating member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

For convenience of description, the heat dissipating member 31670disposed in the heat dissipating portion 31618-1 of the feedback device31600-3 of FIG. 74 will be described with reference to FIG. 85 .However, the structure and form of the heat dissipating member 31670 arenot limited thereto, and when the heat dissipating member 31670 isapplied to a feedback device having a different shape, the structure andform of the heat dissipating member may be appropriately changed.

FIGS. 85A and 85B illustrate cross-sectional views taken along line B-B′of the feedback device 31600-3 of FIG. 74 .

In FIG. 85A, a cavity portion 31671 including at least one hollow may beformed at a lower surface of the body portion 31615. In this case, theheat dissipating member 31670 may be a region including the cavityportion 31671 in the casing 31610, and waste heat generated in the heatoutput module 31640 may be discharged through the cavity portion 31671.

In FIG. 85B, the heat dissipating member 31670 may include a heatdissipating sheet 31672. For example, the heat dissipating sheet 31672may be a polyimide (PI) film. The heat dissipating sheet 31672 may bedisposed inside the body portion 31615, and waste heat generated in theheat output module 31640 may be transferred to the heat dissipatingsheet 31672. For example, a heat transfer module may be disposed betweenthe heat output module 31640 and the heat dissipating sheet 31672, andwaste heat may be transferred from the heat output module 31640 to theheat dissipating sheet 31672 through a heat transfer module. The heatdissipating sheet 31672 may dissipate the received waste heat to theoutside via the body portion 31615.

In FIG. 85C, the heat dissipating member 31670 may include a heatdissipating fan 31673. The heat dissipating fan 31673 may dissipatewaste heat to the outside by circulating air. In this case, when acavity portion is formed in the body portion 31615, waste heat may bedischarged to the cavity portion by the heat dissipating fan 31673.Also, power for driving the heat dissipating fan 31673 may be applied tothe heat dissipating fan 31673.

In FIG. 85D, the heat dissipating member 31670 may include a heatdissipating fin 31674. Due to its shape, the heat dissipating fin 31674may have a wide heat exchange area, and because of this, convection heatdissipation efficiency may be increased. Therefore, waste heat generatedin the heat output module 31640 may be dissipated through the wide heatexchange area of the heat dissipating fin 31674. Also, a cavity portionmay be formed in the body portion 31615, and the heat dissipating fin31674 may be disposed on the cavity portion. Accordingly, waste heat maybe discharged to the cavity portion by the heat dissipating fin 31674.

3. Thermal Experience Providing Method

Hereinafter, a thermal experience providing method according to anembodiment of the present invention will be described. In the followingdescription, the thermal experience providing method according to anembodiment of the present invention will be described by referring tothermal feedback providing operations by the above-described thermalexperience providing system 1000 and the heat output module 31640.However, this is merely for convenience of description, and the thermalexperience providing method according to an embodiment of the presentinvention is not limited thereto.

3.1. Outline of Thermal Experience Providing Method

FIG. 86 is a basic flowchart of a method of providing a thermalexperience according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 86 , the thermal experience providing method accordingto an embodiment of the present invention may include reproducing, by amobile device 31200, multimedia content (S33100), obtaining, by themobile device 31200, thermal feedback information according to thereproduction of the multimedia content (S33200), transmitting, by themobile device 31200, a thermal feedback signal to a feedback device31600 according to the thermal feedback information (S33300), andperforming, by the feedback device 31600, a thermal feedback outputoperation according to the thermal feedback signal (S33400). Theabove-listed steps will be described below.

First, the mobile device 31200 may reproduce multimedia content(S33100).

The multimedia content may be a video, a game, a VR application, an ARapplication, an experiencing application, an object recognitionapplication, and the like. The controller 31290 of the mobile device31200 may load multimedia content stored in the memory 31220 from thememory 31220 or receive multimedia content through the communicationmodule 31210 and reproduce the multimedia content.

For example, the controller 31290 of the mobile device 31200 mayreproduce multimedia content such as a game or a movie file stored inthe memory 31220. As another example, the mobile device 31200 mayreceive multimedia content from the Internet through the communicationmodule 31210 by using a downloading or streaming method and reproducethe multimedia content.

The mobile device 31200 may obtain thermal feedback informationaccording to the reproduction of the multimedia content (S33200).

An algorithm for processing thermal feedback data or thermal data may beincluded in the multimedia content. The controller 31290 of the mobiledevice 31200 may decode thermal feedback data or perform a thermalfeedback processing algorithm according to reproduction of themultimedia content and, as a result, may obtain thermal feedbackinformation.

Here, the thermal feedback information may include at least one ofpieces of information on a target of thermal feedback, a type of thermalfeedback, an intensity of thermal feedback, and a thermal feedbackproviding time.

The target of thermal feedback may refer to a target to which thethermal feedback will be applied. For example, a target of thermalfeedback may indicate a target on which thermal feedback will beperformed when a plurality of feedback devices 31600 are used in thethermal experience providing system 1000, when a plurality of heatoutput modules 31640 are present in the feedback device 31600, or whenthe heat output module 31640 is controlled for each region.

The type of thermal feedback may refer to a type of thermal feedback.For example, types of thermal feedback may include hot feedback, coldfeedback, and thermal grill feedback. Also, the thermal grill feedbackmay include neutral thermal grill feedback, hot thermal grill feedback,and cold thermal grill feedback.

The intensity of thermal feedback may refer to a strength of thermalfeedback. According to circumstances, an intensity of thermal feedbackmay include a type of thermal feedback. For example, intensities ofthermal feedback may be classified into first to tenth levels, coldfeedback may be assigned to the first to fifth levels, and hot feedbackmay be assigned to the sixth to tenth levels.

The thermal feedback providing time may refer to a time at which thermalfeedback will be output. The thermal feedback providing time may includea start time, an end time, a duration time, and the like of thermalfeedback output.

The mobile device 31200 may transmit a thermal feedback signal to thefeedback device 31600 according to the thermal feedback information(S33300), and the feedback device 31600 may receive the thermal feedbacksignal and perform a thermal feedback output operation according to thereceived signal (S33400).

Specifically, the controller 31290 may generate the thermal feedbacksignal on the basis of the thermal feedback information and may transmitthe thermal feedback signal to the feedback device 31600 through thecommunication module 31210. In a thermal experience providing system1000 including a plurality of feedback devices 31600, the controller31290 may also select, on the basis of thermal feedback targetinformation, a feedback device 31600 to which the thermal feedbacksignal will be transmitted. The feedback controller 31690 may receivethe thermal feedback signal through the communication module 31620 andmay perform a thermal feedback output operation according to the thermalfeedback signal.

The thermal feedback signal is a signal for controlling output ofthermal feedback. The thermal feedback signal may include a thermalfeedback start signal indicating a start of output of thermal feedbackand a thermal feedback end signal indicating an end of output of thermalfeedback.

The controller 31290 of the mobile device 31200 may transmit the startsignal through the communication module 31210, and the feedbackcontroller 31690 of the feedback device 31600 may receive the startsignal through the communication module 31620. Upon the reception of thestart signal by the feedback device 31600, the feedback controller 31690may apply power to a thermoelectric couple array 31643 according to thestart signal so that the thermoelectric couple array 31643 may perform athermal feedback output operation.

The controller 31290 of the mobile device 31200 may transmit the endsignal through the communication module 31210, and the feedbackcontroller 31690 of the feedback device 31600 may receive the end signalthrough the communication module 31620. Upon the reception of the endsignal by the feedback device 31600, the feedback controller 31690 maycut off power to the thermoelectric couple array 31643 according to theend signal so that the thermoelectric couple array 31643 may stop thethermal feedback output operation.

The performing of the thermal feedback output operation of step S33400will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 87 .

FIG. 87 is a flowchart related to a thermal feedback outputting methodaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

The thermal feedback outputting method according to FIG. 87 is a methodcarried out by the feedback device 31600 of starting and ending thermalfeedback and may include obtaining a thermal feedback signal (S34100),obtaining feedback information (S34200), outputting an electrical signalon the basis of the feedback information (S34300), providing thermalfeedback according to the electrical signal (S34400), and ending thethermal feedback according to a feedback ending message (S34500).

Hereinafter, each of the above-listed steps will be described in moredetail.

First, the feedback controller 31690 of the feedback device 31600 mayobtain a thermal feedback signal (S34100). As described above inrelation to step S33300 of FIG. 86 , the feedback controller 31690 mayobtain a thermal feedback signal from the mobile device 31200 throughthe communication module 31620.

When the thermal feedback signal is obtained, the feedback controller31690 may obtain feedback information (S34200). Here, the feedbackinformation may include pieces of information on a type of thermalfeedback, an intensity of thermal feedback, and time during whichthermal feedback is applied. Although such pieces of information maydirectly include data related to a type, an intensity, and time ofthermal feedback, to the contrary, such pieces of information may alsoindirectly include the data related to the type, intensity, and time ofthe thermal feedback.

For example, a thermal feedback signal may include feedback information.

As another example, feedback information may be stored in the memory31685, and a thermal feedback signal may, instead of directly includingthe feedback information, include an identifier for obtaining thefeedback information stored in the memory 31685. For example, thefeedback controller 31690 may extract the identifier from the receivedthermal feedback signal and may obtain, from the extracted identifier,feedback information corresponding to the received thermal feedbacksignal from a feedback information table stored in the memory 31685.

As another example, a thermal feedback signal may simply request for astart of thermal feedback, and, according to the thermal feedbacksignal, the feedback controller 31690 may load and obtain pre-storedfeedback information from the memory 31685.

Next, the feedback controller 31690 may output an electrical signal onthe basis of the feedback information (S34300). The feedback controller31690 may generate an electrical signal to be applied to the heat outputmodule 31640 on the basis of the feedback information.

The feedback controller 31690 may determine, on the basis of a type ofthermal feedback, a direction of a voltage of the electrical signal tobe applied. For example, the feedback controller 31690 may determinethat a voltage to be applied is a forward voltage when thermal feedbackis hot feedback, determine that the voltage is a reverse voltage whenthermal feedback is cold feedback, and determine to apply a forwardvoltage and a reverse voltage simultaneously or by performing timedivision when the thermal feedback is thermal grill feedback.

Also, the feedback controller 31690 may determine a magnitude of avoltage to be applied on the basis of an intensity of thermal feedback.A voltage table related to magnitudes of voltages for each intensity ofthermal feedback may be stored in the memory 31685. The feedbackcontroller 31690 may determine the magnitude of the voltage to beapplied on the basis of the intensity of thermal feedback by referringto the voltage table. Meanwhile, since an intensity of a voltage to beapplied may vary according to a type of thermal feedback, when referringto the voltage table, the feedback controller 31690 may also take intoconsideration the type of thermal feedback.

In addition, the feedback controller 31690 may determine a period oftime for applying a voltage on the basis of information on a time duringwhich thermal feedback will be applied.

When a direction, magnitude, and application time of a voltage are set,the feedback controller 31690 may apply an electrical signalcorresponding to a result of setting to the heat output module 31640.

The heat output module 31640 may receive the electrical signal throughthe power terminal 31649, and accordingly, the thermoelectric couplearray 31643 may perform the exothermic operation, the endothermicoperation, or the thermal grill operation (S34400). Accordingly, thefeedback device 31600 may output thermal feedback and provide thethermal feedback to the user.

Lastly, the feedback controller 31690 may obtain a feedback endingmessage and end thermal feedback (S34500). The feedback ending messageindicates an end of feedback. The feedback device 31600 may obtain thefeedback ending message by using a method similar to that in which thethermal feedback signal is obtained. When the feedback ending message isreceived, the feedback device 31600 may stop an operation related tothermal feedback that has been performed. However, the feedback endingmessage is not necessarily required to end the operation related tothermal feedback. For example, when feedback information includesinformation on a time during which thermal feedback will be applied, thefeedback device 31600 may apply thermal feedback for the correspondingtime and then stop an operation related to the thermal feedback to endthe thermal feedback.

Meanwhile, the feedback controller 31690 of the feedback device 31600may transmit a thermal feedback report signal reporting an operationalstate of the heat output module 31640 to the mobile device 31200 throughthe communication module 31620. The feedback device 31600 may transmitthe report signal to the mobile device 31200 periodically or as aresponse to receiving a thermal feedback signal. The thermal feedbackreport signal may include information on whether thermal feedback isoutput, a type or an intensity of thermal feedback being output, atemperature of the contact surface 31641, biological information of theuser sensed by a sensing module, whether an error has occurred, thestate-of-charge of a battery, and the like.

3.2. Application of Thermal Experience Providing Method

Conventionally, contents such as games and movies have been experiencedaccording to audiovisual expression methods provided by video or audio.Also, in order to improve immersion into content, a tactile experience,which is represented by vibration feedback, and an olfactory experienceusing scent have supported the conventional audiovisual expressionmethods. Furthermore, in recent years, solutions which enable users tohave a full range of user experiences, such as virtual reality (VR) andaugmented reality (AR), have been developed.

In enabling users to experience content, the thermal experienceproviding system 1000 may implement thermal reality (TR) by outputtingthermal feedback in sync with various situations provided using theabove-described conventional methods so that a user experience isfurther enhanced for various contents.

In relation to this, when the above-described thermal experienceproviding method is used, by causing the feedback device 31600 to outputthermal feedback through a thermal feedback signal according toreproduction of multimedia content by a content reproduction device, thethermal experience providing system 1000 may provide a thermalexperience to users.

Therefore, the thermal experience providing method may be applied tovarious technical fields where a user experience is required.Hereinafter, some typical technical fields in which the thermalexperience providing system 1000 and the thermal experience providingmethod may be utilized will be briefly described Below.

3.2.1. Virtual Reality (VR)

Virtual reality is a typical example of a field in which the thermalexperience providing system 1000 may be utilized.

Virtual reality refers to creating a virtual environment or situation sothat the user feels as if he or she is actually in a virtual space.Generally, virtual reality is implemented using a head mounted display(HMD) on the basis of a three-dimensional video which dynamicallychanges according to the user's line of sight. Virtual reality has beenactively developed for purposes of supporting education and business aswell as various games and movies.

Particularly, with the recent development of smart devices andsubsequent launch of VR devices after the launch of Samsung Electronics'Gear VR™, the virtual reality market is expected to grow in the future.

The thermal experience providing system 1000 of the present inventionmay be embedded in such virtual reality applications, thereby adding athermal sensation to the existing visual/auditory/tactile sense.

For example, the thermal experience providing system 1000 may implementthermal reality by assigning a temperature to a specific object disposedin a virtual space and providing hot feedback when an avatar, which isan alter ego of the user, touches the object,

Similar to this, the thermal experience providing system 1000 may assigna suitable sense of temperature to a virtual space given as anenvironment such as desert or polar regions and output hot feedback orcold feedback to users according to the sense of temperature, therebyimproving the user's immersion into the virtual reality.

3.2.2. Augmented Reality (AR)

Augmented reality is also a typical example of a field in which thethermal experience providing system 1000 is utilized.

Augmented reality refers to providing a virtual object by overlaying thevirtual object on a real-world environment and is also referred to asmixed reality since a virtual environment is combined with thereal-world environment.

Compared to the virtual reality immersing the user into a full virtualspace, the augmented reality basically augments a virtual object orvirtual additional information in a real-world environment. Therefore,the augmented reality is implemented using a method of augmenting avirtual image on a glass type transparent display which projects thereality as it is instead of completely blocking the user's field of vieweven when the HMD is used or using a method of composing a virtual imagewith a real image captured using a camera 31280 in real time.

Therefore, since, unlike the virtual reality technology, the augmentedreality technology simultaneously provides the real-world environmentand the virtual environment, the augmented reality technology has anadvantage in that a user may be provided with a better sense of realityand interaction is possible with information present in the actualenvironment.

Various smart devices including Apple's iPhone™ are equipped with theaugmented reality function, even though it is limited. In recent years,interest in augmented reality has been growing with the appearance ofMicrosoft's HMD type Hololens™, which operates as a standalone device.

The thermal experience providing system 1000 may support a conventionaluser experience mainly based on visual/auditory senses by providing athermal sensation linked to such augmented reality applications.

For example, the thermal experience providing system 1000 may provideuseful information to the user by outputting hot feedback as oneaugmentation element when a hot object enters within the user's field ofview.

A thermal experience providing method using the augmented realitytechnology will be described in detail below.

FIG. 88 is a view for describing a thermal experience providing methodusing the augmented reality technology.

In FIG. 88 , provision of a thermal event by the feedback device 31600-2when an augmented reality application is reproduced in the mobile device31200-2 according to the example of FIG. 73 will be described.

Referring to FIG. 88 , FIGS. 88A, 88B, and 88C show provision of athermal event by the feedback device 31600-2 on which the mobile device31200-2 is mounted. Hereinafter, a situation will be assumed in which acommunication channel is established between the mobile device 31200-2and the feedback device 31600-2, and an augmented reality application isdriven in the mobile device 31200-2.

In FIGS. 88A, 88B, and 88C, a camera of the mobile device 31200-2 maycapture objects 32101, 32111, and 32121, and a controller of the mobiledevice 31200-2 controls a video module 31241 to display the objects32101, 32111, and 32121 on a display. Also, the controller of the mobiledevice 31200-2 generates virtual objects 32102, 32112, and 32122 relatedto the objects 32101, 32111, and 32121 according to driving of theaugmented reality application and displays the virtual objects 32102,32112, and 32122 together with the objects 32101, 32111, and 32121. Inthis case, the virtual object 32102 is in the form of fire and has a hotproperty, the virtual object 32112 is in the form of water and has acold property, and the virtual object 32122 is in the form of apredatory animal and has a property of striking a blow.

In addition, the controller of the mobile device 31200-2 may obtainthermal feedback information on the virtual objects 32102, 32112, and32122. In this case, for the virtual object 32102, a type of thermalfeedback information may be determined as hot feedback according to thehot property; for the virtual object 32112, a type of thermal feedbackinformation may be determined as cold feedback according to the coldproperty; and for the virtual object 32122, a type of thermal feedbackinformation may be determined as thermal pain feedback according to theproperty of striking a blow. Also, an intensity of thermal feedback, athermal feedback providing time, and the like may be determined by theaugmented reality application.

The controller of the mobile device 31200-2 transmits a thermal feedbacksignal according to the thermal feedback information to the feedbackdevice 31600-2.

The feedback controller of the feedback device 31600-2 receives thethermal feedback signal from the mobile device 31200-2, obtains feedbackinformation from the thermal feedback signal, and outputs an electricalsignal according to the feedback information. For example, the feedbackcontroller of the feedback device 31600-2 may apply a forward voltage toa heat output module to provide hot feedback in the case of FIG. 88A,may apply a reverse voltage to the heat output module to provide coldfeedback to the heat output module in the case of FIG. 88B, and mayapply a forward voltage and a reverse voltage to the heat output modulesimultaneously or by performing time division to provide thermal painfeedback to the heat output module in the case of FIG. 88C. Also, amagnitude, an application time, or the like of an electrical signal maybe determined by an intensity of thermal feedback and a thermal feedbackproviding time included in the feedback information. The heat outputmodule performs the exothermic operation, the endothermic operation, orthe thermal grill operation due to the received electrical signal sothat thermal feedback is provided to the user.

3.2.3. Game Content

The thermal experience providing system 1000 may also be utilized ingame content.

Game content is basically multimedia content based on interactionbetween elements within a game and the user. Due to having aninteractive element, the game content is a field in which a userexperience is extremely important.

Game content may be implemented using the above-described virtualreality or augmented reality technique as well as a conventionaltechnique in which a user's manipulation is reflected in a game screenoutput through a TV or a monitor. The thermal experience providingsystem 1000 may add a thermal experience to a game environmentimplemented using the above-mentioned techniques as a way of improvingimmersion in the game. For example, when being shot by a gun or the likeoccurs in a first-person shooter game, the thermal experience providingsystem 1000 may output thermal feedback according to the shooting.

3.2.4. Video Content

In addition, the thermal experience providing system 1000 may also beutilized in video content or the like. Video content is based onaudiovisual forms of expression such as video or audio. The thermalexperience providing system 1000 may add a thermal experience tomultimedia content by outputting thermal feedback corresponding to videoscenes which are expressed audiovisually. The thermal experienceproviding system 1000 may output thermal feedback by, for example,outputting hot feedback in an explosion scene and outputting coldfeedback in a scene in which one is drenched with water.

3.2.5. Object Recognition Content

In addition, the thermal experience providing system 1000 may beprovided on the basis of object recognition. The object recognitiontechnology refers to a technology for recognizing an object included incontent such as an image, a video, and an audio.

In an embodiment, machine learning (for example, deep learning) may beutilized in the object recognition technology. Since conventionaltechnologies may be used in object recognition, detailed description ofthe object recognition technology will be omitted.

Some of objects recognized through the object recognition technology mayhave properties related to thermal feedback. For example, a volcano hasa hot property, an ice cream has a cold property, and lightning has anelectrical property. The thermal experience providing system 1000 mayadd a thermal experience to content by outputting thermal feedbackcorresponding to properties of objects. For example, the thermalexperience providing system 1000 may output hot feedback according tothe hot property when an object recognized from content is a volcano,may output cold feedback according to the cold property when therecognized object is a piece of ice, and may output thermal painfeedback according to the electrical property when the recognized objectis lightning.

A thermal experience providing method using the object recognitiontechnology will be described in detail below.

FIG. 89 is a view for describing a thermal experience providing methodusing an object recognition technology.

In FIG. 89 , provision of a thermal event by the feedback device 31600-2when an object recognition application is reproduced in the mobiledevice 31200-2 according to the example of FIG. 73 will be described.

Referring to FIG. 89 , FIGS. 89A, 89B, and 89C show provision of athermal event by the feedback device 31600-2 on which the mobile device31200-2 is mounted. Hereinafter, a situation will be assumed in which acommunication channel is established between the mobile device 31200-2and the feedback device 31600-2 and in which an object recognitionapplication is driven in the mobile device 31200-2.

In FIGS. 89A, 89B, and 89C, a camera of the mobile device 31200-2 maycapture a first object 32201, a second object 32211, and a third object32221, and a controller of the mobile device 31200-2 may recognize,through the object recognition application, that the first object 32201is a gas flame, the second object 32211 is an igloo, and the thirdobject 32221 is a construction sign.

In addition, the controller of the mobile device 31200-2 may determinethat a property of the first object 32201 is a hot property, a propertyof the second object 32211 is a cold property, and a property of thethird object 32221 is a property of warning. Also, the controller of themobile device 31200-2 may obtain thermal feedback information of theobjects 32201, 32211, and 32221. For example, for the first object32201, a type of thermal feedback information may be determined as hotfeedback according to the hot property; for the second object 32211, atype of thermal feedback information may be determined as cold feedbackaccording to the cold property; and for the third object 32221, a typeof thermal feedback information may be determined as thermal painfeedback according to the property of warning. Also, an intensity ofthermal feedback, a thermal feedback providing time, and the like may bedetermined.

The controller of the mobile device 31200-2 transmits a thermal feedbacksignal according to the thermal feedback information to the feedbackdevice 31600-2.

The feedback controller of the feedback device 31600-2 receives thethermal feedback signal from the mobile device 31200-2, obtains feedbackinformation from the thermal feedback signal, and outputs an electricalsignal according to the feedback information. For example, the feedbackcontroller of the feedback device 31600-2 may apply a forward voltage toa heat output module to provide hot feedback in the case of FIG. 89A,may apply a reverse voltage to the heat output module to provide coldfeedback to the heat output module in the case of FIG. 89B, and mayapply a forward voltage and a reverse voltage to the heat output modulesimultaneously or by performing time division to provide thermal painfeedback to the heat output module in the case of FIG. 89C. Also, amagnitude, an application time, or the like of an electrical signal maybe determined by an intensity of thermal feedback and a thermal feedbackproviding time included in the feedback information. The heat outputmodule performs the exothermic operation, the endothermic operation, orthe thermal grill operation due to the received electrical signal sothat thermal feedback is provided to the user.

Various application fields of the thermal experience providing system1000 have been described above, but the application fields of thethermal experience providing system 1000 are not limited to theabove-described examples. In addition to being applied to theabove-described technical fields, the thermal experience providingsystem 1000 may be utilized in various other multimedia contentsincluding contents for education or learning or medical applications.

Therefore, in the present invention, the thermal experience providingsystem 1000 should be interpreted as being applicable, withoutlimitations, to fields in which thermal feedback may be provided toimprove a user experience.

V. Special Effect Control System

1. Special Effect Control System

Hereinafter, a special effect control system according to an embodimentof the present invention will be described.

1.1. Outline of Special Effect Control System

The special effect control system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention is a system that allows a user who is enjoyingmultimedia in a 4D theater or a special effect theater to have a ThermaleXperience (TX). Specifically, the special effect control system mayallow the user to have a thermal experience by outputting thermalfeedback to the user at a predetermined time point in order to maximizethe degree of immersion into multimedia content as a means of multimediacontent expression. Particularly, since the thermal feedback provided bythe special effect control system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention causes heat transfer while in direct contact with aportion of the user's body, the thermal feedback has advantageouseffects in terms of the speed of heat transfer, the ease of control ofthe amount of transferred heat, and the accuracy of synchronization withmultimedia.

Although multimedia content is generally provided to a user according toan audiovisual expression means mostly based on a video and audio, inthe present invention, a thermal expression based on thermal feedbackmay be included as an essential expression means.

The special effect control system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention may include one or more special effect chairs 42000and a central control device 41000. The elements are communicativelyconnected to one another so that reproduction of multimedia content issynchronized in each of the elements.

Since the elements are closely connected, the special effect controlsystem may provide various special effects, including an audiovisualvideo and thermal feedback, to the user realistically.

1.2. Thermal Feedback

Hereinafter, thermal feedback provided to a user by the special effectcontrol system according to an embodiment of the present invention willbe described.

Thermal feedback is a type of a thermal stimulator that stimulatesthermal sensation organs distributed across a user's body to make theuser feel thermal sensation. In the present specification, thermalfeedback should be interpreted as encompassing all thermal stimulatorsthat stimulate a user's thermal sensation organs.

Typical examples of thermal feedback include hot feedback and coldfeedback. Hot feedback refers to applying hot heat to hot spotsdistributed across the user's skin so that the user feels hotness, andcold feedback refers to applying cold heat to cold spots distributedacross the user's skin so that the user feels coldness.

Here, because heat is a physical quantity expressed as a scalar, “coldheat is applied” may not be a precise expression in terms of physics.However, in the present specification, for convenience of description, aphenomenon in which heat is applied will be expressed as applying hotheat, and the opposite phenomenon, that is, a phenomenon in which heatis absorbed, will be expressed as applying cold heat.

In addition, in the present specification, thermal feedback may furtherinclude thermal grill feedback in addition to hot feedback and coldfeedback. When hot heat and cold heat are provided simultaneously, auser perceives a sensation of pain instead of separately perceivinghotness and coldness. Such a sensation is a so-called thermal grillillusion (TGI, hereinafter referred to as “thermal pain”). That is,thermal grill feedback refers to thermal feedback in which hot heat andcold heat are applied in combination and may be mostly provided byoutputting hot feedback and cold feedback simultaneously. Thermal grillfeedback may also be referred to as thermal pain feedback due to itsaspect of providing a sensation close to a sensation of pain.

In the present specification, a thermoelectric operation refers to anoperation in which a thermoelectric element 2320 causes an exothermic orendothermic phenomenon, thermal feedback refers to an operation in whicha special effect chair 2000 provides an exothermic or endothermic effectto a user, and it should be understood that the user has a thermalexperience including warmth, hotness, or thermal pain by receiving thethermal feedback.

In the special effect control system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, thermal feedback may be provided to the user inconnection with multimedia content. Thermal feedback data may includeinformation on the thermal feedback. The thermal feedback data includesinformation on thermal feedback in connection with a multimedia contentreproduction time point in order to improve the degree of immersion inenjoying the multimedia content.

The information on the thermal feedback may be encoded in a digital formaccording to a specific protocol within the thermal feedback data. Aswill be described in more detail below, the central control device 41000and the special effect chair 42000 constituting the special effectcontrol system may exchange pieces of information on thermal feedback bytransmitting/receiving thermal feedback data.

The information on thermal feedback is information constituting thermalfeedback (thermal feedback configuration information) and, for example,may include information on whether thermal feedback is hotness,coldness, or the sensation of pain (thermal feedback type information),thermal feedback intensity information, information on a time point atwhich thermal feedback is provided to the user in connection withmultimedia content so that the user receives a thermal experience and atime point at which the provision of the thermal feedback is stopped(thermal feedback timing information), and the like.

The information on thermal feedback may also include, for example, asinformation on applied power, information on a direction in which poweris applied to a thermoelectric element 42320, information on a currentvalue or voltage value of power applied to the thermoelectric element42320, information on a time point at which power is applied to thethermoelectric element 42320 and a time point at which the applicationof power is stopped, and the like. The information on the applied powermay be directly included in the thermal feedback data. Alternatively,the information on the applied power may also be indirectly included inthe thermal feedback data in a form in which the information on theapplied power is obtained by interpreting the thermal feedbackconfiguration information, e.g., a type of thermal feedback, anintensity of thermal feedback, and a timing of thermal feedback.

Here, for convenience of description, the thermal feedback configurationinformation and the information on the applied power have been describedas being separate from each other. However, it should be understood thatthe information on the applied power is the thermal feedbackconfiguration information viewed from the aspect of power thatcontrollers 41300 and 42500 generate/process. That is, the controllers41300 and 42500 may obtain the information on the applied power byinterpreting the thermal feedback configuration information. Therefore,it should be understood that the information on the applied power isindirectly included in the thermal feedback configuration information orthat the thermal feedback configuration information and the informationon the applied power are substantially the same information.

In addition, when a heat output module 42300 includes a plurality ofthermoelectric couple groups 42322 or thermoelectric couple arrays42323, the information on thermal feedback may include, for each of theplurality of thermoelectric couple groups 42322 or thermoelectric couplearrays 42323, thermal feedback type information, thermal feedbackintensity information, and/or thermal feedback timing information. Inthis case, the thermal feedback type information, thermal feedbackintensity information, and/or thermal feedback timing informationrelated to a first thermoelectric couple group 42322 may be the same asor different from the thermal feedback type information, thermalfeedback intensity information, and/or thermal feedback timinginformation related to a second thermoelectric couple group 42322.

In addition, time may be required physically from a time point at whichpower is applied to the thermoelectric element 42320 until athermoelectric operation occurs in the thermoelectric element 42320 inresponse to the power applied thereto. Such a time difference may besmall, but according to circumstances, such a time difference may be ofnon-negligible magnitude in providing a high level of thermalexperience. In such a case, there is a need to take into considerationthe time required between a thermal feedback providing time point atwhich thermal feedback is actually provided to a user and a powerapplication time point at which power is applied so that the thermalfeedback is actually provided to the user at the thermal feedbackproviding time point. Therefore, information on thermal feedback that acontroller 42600 in the special effect chair 42000 receives may includea power application time point calculated in consideration of the timedelay. Alternatively, the controller 42600 in the special effect chair42000 may directly obtain a power application time point from thethermal feedback providing time point by taking the time delay intoconsideration.

The information on thermal feedback including a type, intensity, and/ortime duration of thermal feedback which is provided in the specialeffect control system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention may be closely synchronized with reproduction of multimediacontent. For example, pieces of thermal feedback to be provided to theuser are different according to each situation when an explosion sceneis reproduced, when a bonfire video is reproduced, and when a scene ofheavy rain is reproduced in an audiovisual video. Therefore, to improveimmersion of enjoying content, there is a need for pieces of thermalfeedback and situations respectively corresponding thereto to beaccurately synchronized in terms of a type, intensity, and/or timeduration of thermal feedback. Here, from the above-described multimediacontent, a scene in which user's immersion may be increased when thermalfeedback is provided is referred to as a thermal event.

Hereinafter, a configuration of the special effect control system forproviding the above-described thermal feedback by synchronizing thethermal feedback with a thermal event will be described.

2. Configuration of Special Effect Control System

Referring to FIG. 90 , the special effect control system may include oneor more special effect chairs 42000 and a central control device 41000.The one or more special effect chairs 42000 are communicativelyconnected to the central control device 41000.

The central control device 41000 may collectively control the overalloperation required in the special effect control system. The centralcontrol device 41000 may store/manage information required for anoperation of the special effect chair 42000 or may obtain informationrequired for an operation of the special effect chair 42000 and transmitthe obtained information to the special effect chair 42000. For example,according to some embodiments of the present application, the centralcontrol device 41000 may store various pieces of information requiredfor the special effect chair 42000 to perform a thermoelectricoperation, appropriately manage the pieces of information, generate thepieces of information, or transmit the pieces of information to thespecial effect chair 42000.

The special effect chair 42000 is implemented in the form of a seatsittable for a user. The special effect chair 42000 is a device thatprovides thermal feedback to the user seated on the special effect chair42000. The special effect chair 42000 provides thermal feedbackcorresponding to a thermal event at a time point synchronized withreproduction of multimedia content. To this end, the special effectchair 42000 may transmit/receive thermal feedback data to and from thecentral control device 41000, may interpret the received thermalfeedback data to obtain information on thermal feedback, and may performan operation for providing thermal feedback according to the obtainedinformation.

The special effect control system according to an embodiment of thepresent application may include various feedback devices for providingvarious special effects other than the above-described special effectchair 42000. The various other feedback devices may constitute thespecial effect control system by being included as an additional modulein the special effect chair 42000 or being a device independent from thespecial effect chair 42000 and being connected to the special effectchair 42000. In this case, the central control device 41000 maystore/manage information required for operation of the feedback deviceor may obtain information required for operation of the feedback deviceand transmit the obtained information to the feedback device, therebydirectly controlling the feedback device. Alternatively, the centralcontrol device 41000 may encode information required for operation ofthe feedback device and then transmit the encoded information in adigital form to the special effect chair 42000. In this case, thespecial effect chair 42000 may store/interpret the transmittedinformation to obtain the information. In this way, the special effectchair 42000 may directly control operation of the feedback device. Datatransmitted to the special effect chair 42000 by the central controldevice 41000 may include information for controlling a specific specialeffect at a specific time point with a specific intensity so thatvarious special effects including thermal feedback are provided insynchronization with reproduction of multimedia content.

Although two special effect chairs 42000 are illustrated as beingincluded in the special effect control system of the present applicationin FIG. 90 , the special effect control system according to anembodiment of the present application may also include two or morespecial effect chairs 42000. Alternatively, the special effect controlsystem according to an embodiment of the present application may onlyinclude a single special effect chair 42000.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, although notillustrated in FIG. 90 , the special effect control system may furtherinclude an audiovisual video output unit.

The audiovisual video output unit may receive an audiovisual video fromthe central control device 41000 and output the received audiovisualvideo, thereby providing the audiovisual video to a user. The videooutput unit may be a display device itself on which the audiovisualvideo is displayed. Alternatively, when an audiovisual video is receivedin a form of encoded data, the audiovisual video output unit may includea processor for interpreting the received data and obtaining videoinformation. In this case, the audiovisual video may have beenpre-stored in a digital form in the central control device 41000. Also,the central control device 41000 may generate a control signal requiredfor operation of the audiovisual video output unit.

To summarize, the central control device 41000 may transmit data forcollectively controlling the special effect chair 42000 and/or theaudiovisual video output unit to the special effect chair 42000 and/orthe audiovisual video output unit. The special effect chair 42000 and/orthe audiovisual video output unit may receive the data, interpretinformation included therein, and control a plurality of special effectproviding devices at a set time point with a set intensity according tothe interpreted information. In this way, the user may receivemultimedia content in which an audiovisual video is synchronized withvarious special effects.

Hereinafter, each element of the special effect control system disclosedaccording to an embodiment of the present application will be describedin more detail.

First, the central control device 41000 will be described with referenceto FIG. 91 .

2.1. Central Control Device (41000)

As described above, the central control device 41000 is a configurationfor collectively controlling operations of the one or more specialeffect chairs 42000.

When the special effect control system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention further includes an audiovisual video output unitand/or various feedback devices, the central control device 41000 is aconfiguration for collectively controlling operations of each specialeffect chair 42000, the audiovisual video output unit and/or the variousfeedback devices.

Referring to FIG. 91 , the central control device 41000 may include acommunication unit 41100, a memory 41200, and a controller 41300.

The central control device 41000 may store/interpret/manage pieces ofdata respectively required for the special effect chairs 42000, theaudiovisual video output unit and/or various feedback devices. Also, forreproduction of multimedia content, the central control device 41000 maytransmit the data to the special effect chairs 42000, the audiovisualvideo output unit and/or various feedback devices. Alternatively, thecentral control device 41000 may receive data transmitted from thespecial effect chairs 42000, the audiovisual video output unit and/orvarious feedback devices.

The communication unit 41100 connects the central control device 41000and the special effect chair 42000 so that the central control device41000 and the special effect chair 42000 may perform data communicationwith each other. To connect the central control device 41000 and thespecial effect chair 42000, the communication unit 41100 may beimplemented using a wired or wireless method. Since both the wired typeand the wireless type have their own advantages and disadvantages, thewired type and the wireless type may be simultaneously provided in thecentral control device 41000 according to circumstances. A local areanetwork (LAN) in which various cables, such as a twisted pair, a coaxialcable, and a fiber optic cable, may be used may be a typical example ofthe wired type. However, the wired type is not limited thereto, and anysuitable medium and suitable communication network may be used accordingto the size of a theater, the size of data, and the like.

The wireless type may mostly use WLAN communication methods such asWi-Fi. However, when, according to the size of a theater, short rangecommunication is sufficient, WPAN communication methods such asBluetooth and ZigBee may also be used. However, since wirelesscommunication protocols are not limited thereto, other knowncommunication methods such as an infrared communication method may alsobe used. Meanwhile, as a wired/wireless communication protocol, anexclusive protocol developed by a manufacturer of the special effectcontrol system may also be used.

The memory 41200 may store various pieces of information. The memory41200 may store data temporarily or semi-permanently. Examples of thememory 41200 may include a HDD, a SSD, a flash memory, a ROM, and a RAM.The memory 41200 may be provided in a form mounted in the centralcontrol device 41000 or a form attachable to and detachable from thecentral control device 41000. Various pieces of data required for orused in operation of the central control device 41000 or an OS fordriving the central control device 41000 may be stored in the memory41200.

The controller 41300 may be implemented with a computer or an apparatussimilar thereto according to hardware, software, or a combinationthereof so that the controller 41300 may perform computing andprocessing of various pieces of information. The controller 41300 may beprovided as a processor storing and processing data in terms of hardwareand may be provided in the form of a program or code for driving acircuit in terms of software. For example, the controller 41300 mayexchange data with the communication unit 41100 and the memory 41200.The controller 41300 may manage data to be transmitted to the elementsof the special effect control system, including the special effect chair42000, by converting the data to a form storable in the memory 41200.The controller 41300 may call for the data stored in the memory 41200and decode the data to interpret required information. To transmit thedata to each element of the special effect control system through thecommunication unit 41100, the controller 41300 may encode the data in aform of data suitable for a communication method selected in the specialeffect control system.

As described above, the central control device 41000 is a configurationthat collectively controls and closely connects each special effectchair 42000, the audiovisual video output unit and/or various feedbackdevices.

2.2. Special Effect Chair (42000)

Next, the special effect chair 42000 and each element thereof will bedescribed below with reference to FIG. 92 .

As illustrated in FIG. 92 , the special effect chair 42000 may include acommunication unit 42100, a seating portion 42200, a heat output module42300, a contact portion 42400, a heat dissipation module 42500, and acontroller 42600.

Hereinafter, each element of the special effect chair 42000 will bedescribed in more detail.

First, a configuration and general functions of the seating portion42200 will be described.

The seating portion 42200 is configured to support a user who sits onthe special effect chair 42000 to enjoy multimedia content. The seatingportion 42200 may be in the form of a chair.

The seating portion 42200 may include an armrest portion on which theuser may put his or her arm. The seating portion 42200 may include asafety bar for preventing the user from falling off the seating portion42200 during an operation such as rotation and vibration of the seatingportion 42200.

The seating portion 42200 may include a rotating portion for rotatingthe seating portion 42200 or a vibrating portion for providing vibrationto the seating portion 42200 so that a motion effect such as rotation orvibration may be provided to the user. Alternatively, according tocircumstances, a plurality of seating portions 42200 adjacent to eachother may be connected to a common rotating portion or vibrating portionto share a single rotating portion or vibrating portion.

In addition, feedback devices for providing various special effects suchas water jet, face jet, seat drop, vibration, leg tickler, neck attach,seat pull-down, smoke & fog, virtual fire, air bubble, moving light,strobe, scent machine, or the like may be connected to the seatingportion 42200 or included in the seating portion 42200.

In addition, as will be described in more detail below, a sensor forsensing whether the user is seated on the seating portion 42200 may beconnected to the seating portion 42200.

The feedback devices that may be connected to the above-describedseating portion 42200 may be controlled by the controller 42600. Thecontroller 42600 may receive data including information required forcontrolling the feedback devices from the central control device 41000and interpret the received data to obtain the information required forcontrolling the feedback devices. The information required forcontrolling the feedback devices may include information on a time pointat which feedback is provided/maintained/stopped by each feedback deviceand information on an intensity of feedback.

Hereinafter, the heat output module 42300 according to an embodiment ofthe present invention will be described.

The heat output module 42300 may output thermal feedback fortransferring hot heat and cold heat to the user by performing anexothermic operation, an endothermic operation, or a thermal grilloperation. The heat output module 42300 mounted in the special effectchair 42000 outputs thermal feedback when the special effect chair 42000receives a thermal feedback signal so that a thermal experience isprovided to the user.

To perform the above-described exothermic operation, endothermicoperation, or thermal grill operation, the heat output module 42300 mayuse a thermoelectric element such as a Peltier element. Accordingly, aselectricity is applied to the above-described thermoelectric element42320, the heat output module 42300 may perform the exothermic operationor the endothermic operation. In terms of physics, an exothermicreaction and an endothermic reaction simultaneously occur in thethermoelectric element 42320 that has received electricity. However, inthe present specification, an operation of the heat output module 42300in which a surface toward a user's body generates heat will be definedas the exothermic operation, and an operation of the heat output module42300 in which the surface absorbs heat will be defined as theendothermic operation. For example, the thermoelectric element 42320 maybe configured by disposing an N type and P type semiconductor on asubstrate 42310. Here, when a current is applied thereto, heatgeneration occurs at one side and heat absorption occurs at the otherside. Here, when a side surface toward the user's body is referred to asa front surface 42324 and a surface opposite the front surface 42324 isreferred to as a rear surface 42325, an operation of the heat outputmodule 42300 in which heat generation occurs at the front surface 42324and heat absorption occurs at the rear surface 42325 may be defined asthe exothermic operation, and conversely, an operation of the heatoutput module 42300 in which heat absorption occurs at the front surface42324 and heat generation occurs at the rear surface may be defined asthe endothermic operation.

Referring to FIG. 93 , the heat output module 42300 may includesubstrates 42310, the thermoelectric element 42320 formed ofthermoelectric couple arrays 42323 disposed between the substrates42310, and a power terminal 42330 applying power to the thermoelectricelement 42320.

The substrate 42310 serves to support a unit thermoelectric couple 42321and is formed of an electric insulating material. For example, ceramicmay be selected as a material of the substrate 42310. The substrate42310 may also be formed in the shape of a flat plate, but embodimentsare not necessarily limited thereto.

The heat output module 42300 may be attached to various positions of thespecial effect chair 42000 and come in contact with various forms ofcontact portions 42400. For the heat output module 42300 to come incontact with the contact portion 42400 having a curved shape, it may beimportant that the heat output module 42300 has flexibility. Examples offlexible materials used for the substrate 42310 may include glass fiber,flexible plastic, or the like.

A thermoelectric couple array 42323 is formed of a plurality of unitthermoelectric couples 42321 disposed on the substrate 42310. Although apair of different metals (for example, bismuth and antimony) may be usedas the unit thermoelectric couple 42321, a pair of N type and P typesemiconductors may mostly be used. Semiconductors constituting asemiconductor couple are electrically connected to each other at one endof the unit thermoelectric couple 42321, and the unit thermoelectriccouple 42321 is electrically connected to another unit thermoelectriccouple 42321 at the other end of the unit thermoelectric couple 42321.An electrical connection between semiconductors constituting asemiconductor couple or with an adjacent semiconductor may be performedby a conductor member disposed on the substrate 42310. The conductormember may be a lead wire or an electrode formed of copper, silver, orthe like.

The electrical connection between the unit thermoelectric couples 42321may be mostly performed by serial connection, the serially connectedunit thermoelectric couples 42321 may form a thermoelectric couple group42322, and the thermoelectric couple group 42322 may form thethermoelectric couple array 42323.

The power terminal 42330 may apply power to the heat output module42300. The thermoelectric couple array 42323 may generate heat or absorbheat according to a voltage value or a direction of a current of powerapplied to the power terminal 42330. More specifically, two powerterminals 42330 may be connected to a single thermoelectric couple group42322. Consequently, when a plurality of thermoelectric couple groups42322 are present, two power terminals 42330 may be disposed for each ofthe thermoelectric couple groups 42322. According to such a connectionmethod, a voltage value or a direction of a current may be separatelycontrolled for each of the thermoelectric couple groups 42322, andwhether to perform heat generation or heat absorption and an extentthereof may be adjusted. Also, as will be described below, the powerterminal 42330 receives an electrical signal output by the feedbackcontroller, and accordingly, as a result, the feedback controller mayadjust a direction or magnitude of the electrical signal and control theexothermic operation and the endothermic operation of the heat outputmodule 42300. Also, when the plurality of thermoelectric couple groups42322 are present, an electrical signal applied to each power terminal42330 may be separately adjusted for each thermoelectric couple group42322.

Referring to FIG. 94 , it can be seen that the thermoelectric couplearray 42323 is disposed between two substrates 42310 facing each other.The thermoelectric array may include one or more thermoelectric couplegroups 42322 including a pair of power terminals 42330 so that power maybe separately applied to each thermoelectric couple group 42322. Eachthermoelectric couple group 42322 may include one or more thermoelectriccouples 42321, and in each thermoelectric couple 42321, N type and Ptype semiconductors may be alternately connected through a conductormember at one end.

A method in which the special effect chair 42000 according to anembodiment of the present invention provides thermal feedback is amethod in which the heat output module 42300 comes in contact with theuser's body directly or indirectly to transfer hotness or coldnessthereto.

The contact portion 42400 is a configuration for transferring heatgenerated in the heat output module 42300 to a portion of the user'sbody. To this end, the contact portion 42400 may be in contact with aportion of the user's body seated on the seating portion 42200. Also,the contact portion 42400 may be thermally connected to the heat outputmodule 42300. The contact portion 42400 may be thermally connected tothe heat output module 42300 through a heat conducting material, butpreferably, the contact portion 42400 may receive heat by being indirect contact with the front surface 42324 of the thermoelectricelement 42320.

The contact portion 42400 may serve to protect the thermoelectricelement 42320 or to protect the user's body from the thermoelectricelement 42320. However, the original function of the contact portion42400 is to transfer heat generated in the thermoelectric element 42320to a portion of the user's body while minimizing heat loss. Therefore,preferably, the contact portion 42400 is formed of a material havinghigh conductivity.

The contact portion 42400 has been described above as a separateconfiguration disposed on the heat output module 42300, but to thecontrary, an outer surface itself of the heat output module 42300 mayalso be the contact portion 42400. That is, heat generated by athermoelectric operation may also be transferred to the user's body bythe front surface 42324 of the thermoelectric element 42320 being indirect contact with the user's body.

Although, for convenience of description, the heat has been described asthe generated heat, the generated heat should be interpreted as having apositive value when the thermoelectric element 42320 performs theexothermic operation and as having a negative value when thethermoelectric element 42320 performs the endothermic operation.

Since the contact portion 42400 causes heat conduction by coming indirect contact with the user's body, for heat transfer efficiency, thereis a need to maximize a surface coming in contact with the user's body.To this end, the contact portion 42400 may be a configuration that isnaturally bendable along the curve of the user's body. Also, since,preferably, the front surface of the thermoelectric element 42320 isconnected to the contact portion 42400 by contact with one surface ofthe contact portion 42400, preferably, the thermoelectric element 42320is also a configuration that is naturally bendable.

Here, although, for convenience of description, the contact has beendescribed as the contact with the user's body, the contact does not onlynecessarily refer to contact with the user's skin, and should beinterpreted as having a meaning that encompasses transferring heat tothe user by coming in contact with the user through clothing worn by theuser.

The contact portion 42400 may be disposed at any part of the seatingportion 42200 as long as the contact portion 42400 may come in contactwith the user's body while the user is seated on the special effectchair 42000.

FIG. 95 illustrates configurations of the contact portion 42400 and theheat output module 42300 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

The contact portion 42400 may be in direct contact with the frontsurface 42324 of the thermoelectric element 42320 or may be in indirectcontact therewith while the substrate 42310, which is in contact withthe front surface 42324 of the thermoelectric element 42320, is disposedtherebetween. As illustrated, the contact portion 42400 may be in theform of a thin film. The contact portion 42400 in the form of a thinfilm may be naturally bent along a curve of the user's body or a curveof a portion of the special effect chair 42000. Also, the thermoelectricelement 42320 in contact with the contact portion 42400 may maintainthat curve of the contact portion as it is.

Hereinafter, various implementable forms of the contact portion 42400will be described with reference to FIG. 96 . The following descriptionmerely presents an embodiment and does not limit the form of the contactportion 42400 or the configurations of the contact portion 42400 and thethermoelectric element 42320.

Referring to FIG. 96A, the contact portion 42400 according to anembodiment of the present invention may include at least a portion of astick. Here, the stick refers to a configuration which is connected toone side of the armrest portion and has a grip-like form for the user tograsp. The stick may have an empty space therein. The front surface42324 of the thermoelectric element 42320 may be connected to an innersurface of the stick. In this way, heat transfer may be performedthrough a hand of the user grasping the stick. The user seated on thespecial effect chair 42000 may receive thermal feedback while enjoyingmultimedia content while grasping the stick.

Referring to FIG. 96B, the contact portion 42400 may include at least aportion of a safety bar. The special effects may include motion controlsuch as rotation or vibration, and to prevent falling off from theseating portion 42200 due to such motion, the user may hold onto thesafety bar. The contact portion 42400 may be disposed at a location at aportion of the safety bar that is expected to be gripped by the user'shand. In this way, the user may receive thermal feedback by grasping thesafety bar.

Referring to FIG. 96C, the contact portion 42400 may include at least aportion of a neck rest. The neck rest is a configuration coming incontact with the user's neck portion to support the user's neck when theuser is seated. A portion of the neck rest may be the contact portion42400, and a thermoelectric element 42320 may be connected to thecontact portion 42400 so that thermal feedback is provided to the userin contact with the portion of the neck rest. In this way, the user mayreceive thermal feedback while seated.

Referring to FIG. 96D, the contact portion 42400 may include a portionof the seating portion 42200 coming in contact with a back or lower bodyof the user, who is seated, to support a weight of the back or lowerbody. A thermoelectric element 42320 may be connected to the contactportion 42400. In this way, thermal feedback may be provided to theuser's body in contact with the portion of the seating portion 42200.The thermoelectric element 42320 may include one or more thermoelectriccouple groups 42322 or thermoelectric couple arrays 42323. Each of thethermoelectric couple groups 42322 or thermoelectric couple arrays 42323may be controlled by the controller 42600 to independently perform athermoelectric operation. Therefore, various types of thermal feedbackmay be provided to the user who is seated. For example, in a scene inwhich a protagonist of multimedia content crosses a shallow stream, coldfeedback may be provided only by the thermoelectric couple groups 42322or thermoelectric couple arrays 42323 in contact with the bottom of thelower body among the plurality of thermoelectric couple groups 42322 orthermoelectric couple arrays 42323. In this way, the user may feel asense of cold water only at the bottom of the lower body. Alternatively,in a scene in which the protagonist goes deep into the water one step ata time, cold feedback may be sequentially provided first from thethermoelectric couple group 42322 or thermoelectric couple array 42323in contact with the bottom of the lower body and lastly from thethermoelectric couple group 42322 or thermoelectric couple array 42323in contact with the top of the upper body. In this way, the user maysense coldness as if the user is being slowly submerged from the lowerbody to upper body.

Such a contact type heat transfer method has advantageous effects interms of technology as compared with a conventional heat transfermethod.

First, an amount of heat transferred to the user may be accuratelyadjusted. This is because there are few variables that may affect thethermal conduction, and it is relatively easy to control the variablesas compared with the heat transfer method using convection. When anintensity of power to be applied and application time of the power areknown, an amount of generated heat or absorbed heat may be calculated,which facilitates adjusting thermal feedback to a desired intensity.

Second, it is possible to only provide thermal feedback to a localportion of the user's body. When such a technical feature is applied, asdescribed above in relation to types of thermal feedback, the types ofthermal feedback may be diversified, e.g., thermal feedback may beprovided by the thermoelectric element 42320 coming in contact withdifferent body portions, or thermal feedback may be sequentiallyprovided by a plurality of thermoelectric couple arrays 42323 adjacentto each other.

Third, time taken from a time point at which thermal feedback isrequested to a time point at which the requested thermal feedback isprovided may be shortened. This is because one surface of the contactportion 42400 is in contact with one surface of the thermoelectricelement 42320, another surface of the contact portion 42400 is in directcontact with the user's body, and the contact portion 42400 is formed ofa material having high thermal conductivity. That is, a response speedof providing thermal feedback may be fast.

Since a conventional heat transfer method using air convection has to gothrough heating a heat source, causing air movement by driving a fan,receiving heat from the heat source through air convection, moving aircontaining heat, and transferring the heat from the air to the user'sbody through convection, a response speed may be slower as compared withthe heat output module 42300 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Since, in a conventional heat transfer method in which heat generatedfrom the thermoelectric element 42320 is transferred to the user's bodythrough a heat transfer member such as a heat pipe, conduction has tooccur through the heat transfer member, a response speed may be sloweras compared with the heat output module 42300 according to an embodimentof the present invention. In contrast, since the thermoelectric element42320 of the present invention may immediately come in contact with theuser's body due to being flexibly bendable, a response speed and thermalconductivity may be increased.

The above-described advantages of using the contact type heat transfermethod signify that it is possible to, in turn, increase connection withmultimedia content, that is, increase accuracy of synchronizationbetween an audiovisual video and thermal feedback.

Next, a configuration and general operations of the heat dissipationmodule 42500 will be described.

The heat dissipation module 42500 serves to dissipate waste heat, whichis generally unnecessarily accumulated in a portion of the heat outputmodule 42300 or the special effect chair 42000 due to characteristics ofa thermoelectric effect as a thermoelectric operation is repeated in thethermoelectric element 42320, to the surroundings.

The waste heat may be a factor that interferes with the user's sensingof thermal feedback through the thermoelectric element 42320 and mayalso be a factor that deteriorates the durability of the special effectchair 42000 when the waste heat is accumulated as the thermal feedbackis repeated several times. Alternatively, the waste heat may becomesevere to a level that creates a risk of burn to the user. Therefore, itis necessary to dissipate waste heat periodically or under certainconditions.

There may be various implementations of performing a heat dissipatingoperation. For example, a method of electrically controlling turning aheat dissipating fan on/off to drive the heat dissipating fan may beused. Alternatively, a method of electrically controllingopening/closing of an electronic valve to control flow of a fluid in aheat pipe may be used. Alternatively, a method may be used in which aheat pipe and a portion of the thermoelectric element 42320 are incontact physically at a time point at which a heat dissipating operationis required and are electrically or mechanically controlled to bedisconnected at a time point at which the heat dissipating operation hasto be stopped.

There may be various configurations of the heat dissipation module42500. Any configuration may be included in the heat dissipation module42500 as long as the configuration is a means for effectivelydissipating waste heat. For example, the heat dissipation module 42500may include a heat transfer portion 42510. The heat transfer portion42510 may be thermally connected to a portion of a heat output module inwhich waste heat is generated. The heat transfer portion may cause thewaste heat to move to outside the special effect chair 42000 by using athermal conduction method. Alternatively, the heat dissipation module42500 may further include a waste heat dissipating portion 42520. Thewaste heat dissipating portion 42520 may be provided at the other end ofthe heat transfer portion 42510 not connected to the thermoelectricelement 42320 to dissipate waste heat from the other end to thesurroundings. The waste heat dissipating portion 42520 may include aheat dissipating plate, a heat dissipating fin, or a heat dissipatingfan. Alternatively, the heat dissipation module may be designed tofacilitate dissipation of waste heat along a flow of air released to theoutside of the special effect chair 42000.

Generally, the waste heat may be generated in the heat output module42300. However, due to the configuration of the heat output module 42300and structural features of the special effect chair 42000, there may bea specific location at which waste heat is concentrated and accumulated.In this case, the heat dissipation module 42500 may be a configurationthat dissipates waste heat at the specific location.

Hereinafter, a configuration of the heat dissipation module 42500according to an embodiment of the present invention that may be providedin a configuration of the contact portion 42400 according to anembodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 97 .

FIG. 97A illustrates a configuration of the heat dissipation module42500 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The heatdissipation module 42500 may be disposed at a portion of the seatingportion 42200 coming in contact with the lower body of the seated user.The heat dissipation module 42500 may be thermally connected to thethermoelectric element 42320.

The heat dissipation module 42500 may be designed so that a heatdissipating direction is a direction toward the ground. Since waste heatis dissipated to the surroundings when the heat dissipating operation isperformed, the dissipation of waste heat may affect other users locatedat the left, right, in front, or behind the seating portion 42200. Whenthe heat dissipation module 42500 has a configuration in which the heatdissipating direction is toward the ground, an influence of the heatdissipating operation on users seated on other adjacent seating portions42200 may be minimized.

In FIG. 97B, the heat dissipation module 42500 may be thermallyconnected to a thermoelectric element 42320 disposed at a portion of astick by the heat transfer portion 42510. The stick may be disposed atone surface of an armrest portion of the special effect chair 42000, andthe stick may include the waste heat dissipating portion 42520dissipating waste heat to another surface of the armrest portion. Theheat transfer portion 42510 may cause waste heat generated in thethermoelectric element 42320 to move from the thermoelectric element42320 to the waste heat dissipating portion 42520. A heat dissipatingplate, a heat dissipating fin, or a heat dissipating patch may bedisposed in the waste heat dissipating portion 42520 and may dissipatethe moved waste heat in a direction moving away from the user.

In FIG. 97C, the heat dissipation module 42500 may be thermallyconnected to a thermoelectric element 42320 disposed at a portion of asafety bar by the heat transfer portion 42510. The safety bar may beconnected to one surface of the seating portion 42200, and the safetybar may include the waste heat dissipating portion 42520 dissipatingwaste heat to both ends of the safety bar toward a direction moving awayfrom the user seated on the seating portion 42200. The heat transferportion 42510 may cause waste heat generated in the thermoelectricelement 42320 to move from the thermoelectric element 42320 to the wasteheat dissipating portion 42520. A heat dissipating plate, a heatdissipating fin, or a heat dissipating patch may be disposed in thewaste heat dissipating portion 42520 and may dissipate the moved wasteheat in the direction moving away from the user.

In FIG. 97D, the heat dissipation module 42500 may be a heat dissipatingfan dissipating waste heat generated in the thermoelectric element 42320disposed at a portion of a neck rest to outside the seating portion42200. The neck rest may include the thermoelectric element 42320 and aheat dissipating fan provided therein. The heat dissipating fan may bedisposed at a location that facilitates dissipation of waste heatgenerated in the thermoelectric element 42320 from the seating portion42200 in a direction opposite the ground. In this way, an air flow maybe formed such that, as the heat dissipating fan operates, air outsidethe seating portion 42200 is introduced into the neck rest and wasteheat exits the seating portion 42200 in the direction opposite theground.

The configuration of the heat dissipation module 42500 is not limited tothe above-described embodiments, and any configuration capable ofdischarging waste heat generated in the special effect chair 42000 tooutside the special effect chair 42000 may be the heat dissipationmodule 42500 used in the present invention.

The heat dissipation module 42500 may be communicatively connected tothe controller 42600 and be controlled by the controller 42600. Theremay be various methods in which a heat dissipating operation isperformed by a controller. For example, the controller 42600 may obtaininformation required for a heat dissipating operation—for example,information on a start time point and a stop time point of a heatdissipating operation—that is obtained from heat dissipation data. Thecontroller 42600 may transmit a control signal based on the informationto the heat dissipation module 42500. The heat dissipation module 42500may perform a heat dissipating operation at the start time point of theheat dissipating operation and stop the heat dissipating operation atthe stop time point of the heat dissipating operation according to thecontrol signal. As still another example, the controller 42600 maycontrol an operation of the heat dissipation module 42500 on the basisof a temperature value or a noise value sensed from a temperature sensoror a noise sensor. The heat dissipation module 42500 may dissipate wasteheat under conditions in which enjoyment of multimedia content by theuser and provision of thermal feedback are not interfered with.

A method of controlling the heat dissipating operation will be describedin more detail below.

Next, the communication unit 42100 in the special effect chair 42000will be described.

The communication unit 42100 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention is a configuration for communication between the centralcontrol device 41000 and the special effect chair 42000.

The communication unit 42100 may be a cable connecting the centralcontrol device 41000 and the special effect chair 42000 by a wire.

Alternatively, the communication unit 42100 may be a frequencytransmitter/receiver connecting the central control device 41000 and thespecial effect chair 42000 wirelessly.

Since both the wired type and the wireless type have their ownadvantages and disadvantages, the wired type and the wireless type maybe simultaneously provided in the communication unit 42100 according tocircumstances. A LAN in which various cables, such as a twisted pair, acoaxial cable, and a fiber optic cable, may be used may be a typicalexample of the wired type. However, the wired type is not limitedthereto, and any suitable medium and suitable communication network maybe used according to the size of a theater, the size of data, and thelike.

The wireless type may mostly use WLAN communication methods such asWi-Fi. However, when, according to the size of a theater, short rangecommunication is sufficient, WPAN communication methods such asBluetooth and ZigBee may also be used. However, since wirelesscommunication protocols are not limited thereto, other knowncommunication methods such as an infrared communication method may alsobe used. Meanwhile, as a wired/wireless communication protocol, anexclusive protocol developed by a manufacturer of the special effectcontrol system may also be used.

Next, a configuration and general operations of the controller 42600will be described.

The controller 42600 according to an embodiment of the present inventioncontrols internal elements of the special effect chair 42000 andfacilitates exchange of information between the elements.

The controller 4260 may be connected to the communication unit 42100 andreceive thermal feedback data and heat dissipation data from the centralcontrol device 41000 and may process the received thermal feedback dataand heat dissipation data. The controller 42600 may interpret thethermal feedback data and the heat dissipation data according to apredetermined protocol to appropriately process the thermal feedbackdata and heat dissipation data.

The controller 42600 may obtain thermal feedback information on a resultof processing the thermal feedback data, a type of thermal feedback tobe provided, an intensity of thermal feedback to be provided, and timesof thermal feedback to be provided (start time and/or end time).According to circumstances, a non-negligible time interval may bepresent between a time point at which thermal feedback is actuallyprovided to the user (thermal feedback providing time point) and a timepoint at which power is applied to the thermoelectric element 42320 forproviding thermal feedback (power application time point). In this case,any one of the thermal feedback providing time point and the powerapplication time point may be included in the thermal feedback data.When only the thermal feedback providing time point is included in thethermal feedback data, the controller 42600 may calculate a time delayfrom the power application time point to the thermal feedback providingtime point. The controller 42600 may obtain the power application timepoint from the thermal feedback data by taking the time delay intoconsideration.

The controller 42600 may enable a required size of power to be appliedto the heat output module 42300 at a necessary time according to theobtained thermal feedback information.

The controller 42600 may obtain information on a result of processingthe heat dissipation data, start and end times points of the heatdissipating operation, or an intensity of the heat dissipatingoperation. When the special effect control system further includes atemperature sensor or a noise sensor, the controller 42600 may receive ameasured temperature value or noise value and obtain information on amain portion of heat dissipation on the basis of the receivedtemperature value or noise value.

The controller 42600 may transmit a signal requesting for a start andstop of the heat dissipating operation to the heat dissipation module42500 so that the heat dissipating operation may be performed accordingto the obtained heat dissipation information.

When the special effect chair 42000 further includes a seating sensingdevice, the controller 42600 may receive information on whether the useris seated from the seating sensing device and may transmit theinformation on whether the user is seated to the central control device41000. In this way, the central control device 41000 may calculate aseat occupancy rate in a theater and only transmit information onvarious special effects including thermal feedback to special effectchairs 42000 determined as having users seated thereon. Also, when it isdetermined, on the basis of the information received from the seatingsensing device, that the user has left the seating portion 42200, thecontroller 42600 may transmit a control signal to various feedbackdevices including the heat output module 42300 to stop the provision ofvarious special effects including thermal feedback.

When the special effect chair 42000 further includes a user input unit44000, the controller 42600 may be connected to the user input unit44000 and receive a received user input. The controller 42600 mayinterpret/process the received user input to product a corrected controlsignal to which the user input is reflected and then may transmit theproduced control signal to the heat output module 42300. Also, thecontroller 42600 may transmit the user input to the central controldevice 41000 so that the central control device 41000 produces a controlsignal by reflecting the user input.

To perform the above-described functions, the controller 42600 may beprovided as a processor storing and processing data in terms of hardwareand may be provided in the form of a program or code for driving acircuit in terms of software.

3. Method of Controlling Thermal Feedback

Hereinafter, a method of providing thermal feedback in the specialeffect control system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention will be described. Particularly, a method of controlling athermoelectric operation, a type of thermal feedback, a method ofcontrolling thermal feedback, and a method of correcting thermalfeedback will be described in detail.

3.1. Controlling Thermoelectric Operation

When power is applied to the thermoelectric element 42320, athermoelectric operation occurs at the front surface 42324 and the rearsurface of the thermoelectric element 42320. When the endothermicoperation occurs at the front surface 42324 of the thermoelectricelement 42320, the exothermic operation occurs at the rear surface42325, and when the exothermic operation occurs at the front surface42324, the endothermic operation occurs at the rear surface 42325.

Which operation of the exothermic operation and the endothermicoperation occurs at the front surface 42324 is determined by a directionof a current of power applied to the thermoelectric element 42320. Whena direction of a current which causes the exothermic operation at thefront surface 42324 is assumed as a forward direction, a direction of acurrent which causes the endothermic operation at the front surface42324 may be assumed as a reverse direction which is opposite theforward direction.

An amount of absorbed or generated heat is determined by an intensity ofpower applied to the thermoelectric couple array 42323. Generally, anamount of heat increases as a voltage or a current value of appliedpower becomes higher.

The controller 42600 may cause a desired thermoelectric operation tooccur by adjusting power applied to the thermoelectric element 42320.For example, the controller 42600 receives thermal feedback data andinterprets the thermal feedback data to obtain information on a strengthof a voltage, a direction of a current, an application time point, andthe like of power to be applied. The controller 42600 may generate anelectrical signal on the basis of the obtained information and thenapply the generated electrical signal to the thermoelectric element42320, thereby inducing a desired thermoelectric operation. The methodof controlling thermal feedback will be described below.

3.2. Types of Thermal Feedback

It has been described above that, basically, on the basis of types ofhotness/coldness that the user experiences through a thermal sensationor the like of the user, types of thermal feedback may include hotfeedback, cold feedback, and thermal pain feedback.

As mentioned above, the thermoelectric couple array 42323 of the heatoutput module 42300 may be formed of one or more thermoelectric couplegroups 42322 which are separately controllable. That is, the controller42600 may control a direction, a strength of voltage, an applicationtime, and the like of power applied to each thermoelectric couple group42322 to be different. Using such independent power application to eachthermoelectric couple group 42322, the heat output module 42300 mayimplement various types of thermal feedback.

For example, the heat output module 42300 may provide an effect as ifhot heat or cold heat sequentially advances from one side to the otherside of the contact portion 42400. To this end, the plurality ofthermoelectric couple groups 42322 may be disposed in a row whileabutting each other in the thermoelectric couple array 42323. In such anarrangement, the controller 42600 may first apply power to a firstthermoelectric couple group 42322 disposed at any one side of thethermoelectric couple array 42323. After a predetermined amount of time,the controller 42600 may stop the application of the power. Next, thecontroller 42600 may begin to apply power to a second thermoelectriccouple group 42322 which is adjacent to the first thermoelectric couplegroup 42322. Using the same method, the controller 42600 may stop theapplication of the power and then apply power to a third thermoelectriccouple group 42322 adjacent to the second thermoelectric couple group42322. When power application using this method is sequentially repeatedfrom a thermoelectric couple group 42322 at one side to a thermoelectriccouple group 42322 at the other side in the thermoelectric couple array42323, the effect as if hot heat or cold heat moves from one side to theother side of the thermoelectric couple array 42323 may be provided.

As still another example, the heat output module 42300 may receive aneffect in which an intensity at which a portion of the user's body incontact with the contact portion 42400 is heated or cooled becomesgradually stronger. To this end, the controller 42600 may increase astrength of a voltage applied to a specific thermoelectric couple group42322 by a certain magnitude of voltage from a low intensity to a highintensity at predetermined time intervals or may decrease the strengthof the voltage in a reverse order.

As yet another example, thermal feedback having another effect may beprovided by combining the two above-described effects—the effect as ifwarmth sequentially advances from one side to the other side of thecontact portion 42400 and the effect as if the strength of warmthincreases or decreases with time. For example, a first voltage having aspecific magnitude of voltage is applied to a first thermoelectriccouple group 42322 at any one side of the plurality of thermoelectriccouple groups 42322 disposed to abut each other which are included inthe thermoelectric couple array 42323. Then, after a predeterminedamount of time, the application of the voltage to the firstthermoelectric couple group 42322 is stopped, and a second voltage,which is higher than the first voltage by a certain magnitude, isapplied to the second thermoelectric couple group 42322 adjacent to thefirst thermoelectric couple group 42322. Such power application may berepeated several times from a thermoelectric couple group 42322 disposedat one side to a thermoelectric couple group 42323 disposed at the otherside in the thermoelectric couple array 24232. In this case, the usermay sense that, as warmth moves in any one direction, an intensity ofthe warmth becomes gradually stronger.

3.3. Controlling Thermal Feedback

The controller 42600 interprets thermal feedback data received from thecentral control device 41000 to obtain information on thermal feedbackincluding thermal feedback type information, thermal feedback intensityinformation, thermal feedback timing information, and the like. Theinformation on thermal feedback is information that is preset so that athermal event and thermal feedback closely correspond to each other interms of a time, type, intensity, and the like in order to allow theuser to enjoy the thermal event included in multimedia contentrealistically.

Hereinafter, a method of providing a thermal experience to a user withthermal feedback corresponding to a thermal event will be described withreference to FIG. 98 .

FIG. 98A is a graph in which time points at which thermal eventsincluded in multimedia content occur are shown corresponding to eachreproduction time point of the multimedia content. For example, anexplosion scene may appear as an example of a thermal event inreproduction of multimedia content. Each section of the explosion scene,which is divided into a plurality of sections, will be described.

In a first event section which starts at a first time point t1 and endsat a second time point t2, a scene in which an explosion begins isreproduced.

In a second event section which starts at the second time point t2 andends at a third time point t3, a scene in which consecutive explosionsoccur around the initial explosion location following the initialexplosion is reproduced.

In a third event section which starts at the third time point t3 andends at a fourth time point t4, a scene in which the explosions end isreproduced.

In a fifth event section which starts at a fifth time point t5 and endsat a sixth time point t6, a scene in which a protagonist in multimediacontent dives into cold water is reproduced.

In a sixth event section which starts at the sixth time point t6 and endat a seventh time point t7, a scene in which the protagonist enjoysswimming in the water is reproduced.

In a seventh event section which starts at the seventh time point t7 andends at an eighth time point t8, a scene in which the protagonist comesout of the water after swimming is reproduced.

FIG. 98B is a graph in which intensities and types of thermal feedbackprovided to a user on the basis of thermal feedback data according to anembodiment of the present invention are shown in a time frame as themultimedia content described above with reference to FIG. 98A isreproduced. The vertical axis indicates a size of thermal feedback, andthe horizontal axis indicates time. When the size of thermal feedbackhas a positive sign, the thermal feedback refers to hot feedback, andwhen the size of thermal feedback has a negative sign, the thermalfeedback refers to cold feedback. A large absolute value of thermalfeedback shown in the graph indicates that an intensity of thecorresponding thermal feedback is strong. A time at which thermalfeedback starts and a time at which the thermal feedback stops in thegraph refers to a time at which thermal feedback is actually provided tothe user's body and a time at which the provision of the thermalfeedback is stopped through the contact portion 42400.

To express the thermal events included in the multimedia contentillustrated in FIG. 98A, the information on thermal feedback illustratedin FIG. 98B is synchronized with the thermal events.

In a first feedback section which starts at a first time point T1 andends at a second time point T2, information on thermal feedbackcorresponding to the scene in which the explosion begins, which is thethermal event of the first event section, is shown. Looking at thegraph, it can be seen that hot feedback is provided to a size A1. Inthis way, the user may sense hotness, which expresses the explosion inthe first feedback section, through the contact portion 42400 whileviewing the explosion scene of the first event section.

Here, as described above, the first feedback section is a section inwhich thermal feedback which effectively expresses the thermal event ofthe first event section is provided. However, each of the pair of thefirst time point T1 and the first time point t1 and the pair of thesecond time point T1 and the second time point t2 may not necessarily bethe same time points. The same may apply for other feedback sections andevent sections which will be described below.

In a second feedback section which starts at the second time point T2and ends at a third time point T3, information on thermal feedback whichexpresses the thermal event of the second event section is shown. In thesecond feedback section, warmth corresponding to the case in which theconsecutive explosions occur and the heat of explosion reaches its peakmay be expressed. Therefore, in the second feedback section, hotfeedback may be provided to a size A2 which is greater than the size A1.In this way, the user may sense hotness, which is hotter than thehotness in the first feedback section, through the contact portion 42400while viewing the consecutive explosions scene of the second eventsection.

In a third feedback section which starts at the third time point T3 andends at a fourth time point T4, information on thermal feedback whichexpresses the thermal event of the third event section is shown. In thethird feedback section, warmth corresponding to the case in whichresidual heat seems to remain after the explosion has ended may beexpressed. Therefore, in the third feedback section, hot feedback may beprovided to a size A3 which is less than the sizes A1 and A2. In thisway, the user may sense slight hotness, which corresponds to theresidual heat after the explosion in the third feedback section, whileviewing the scene in which the explosion has ended in the third eventsection.

In a fifth feedback section which starts at a fifth time point T5 andends at a sixth time point T6, information on thermal feedback whichexpresses the thermal event of the fifth event section is shown. In thefifth feedback section, there is a need to express coldnesscorresponding to the case in which coldness of the water is transmittedto the protagonist's body as the protagonist dives into the water.Therefore, it can be seen that, in the fifth feedback section, coldfeedback is provided to a size A5. Since coldness should be provided atthe moment at which the protagonist dives into the water, the fifthfeedback section may be a very small section in terms of time.

In a sixth feedback section which starts at the sixth time point T6 andends at a seventh time point T7, information on thermal feedback whichexpresses the thermal event of the sixth event section is shown. Sincethe sixth feedback section is a section in which the protagonist adaptsto a temperature of the water with time after diving into the water,cold feedback may be provided to a size A6 which is smaller than thesize A5 (based on absolute values) in the sixth feedback section.Therefore, the user may receive cold feedback through the contactportion 42400 in the sixth feedback section while viewing the scene inwhich the protagonist swims in the sixth event section.

In a seventh feedback section which starts at the seventh time point T7and ends at an eighth time point T8, information on thermal feedbackwhich expresses the thermal event of the seventh event section is shown.The seventh feedback section is a section in which the protagonist feelschilly due to evaporated heat after coming out of the water. Therefore,cold feedback may be provided to a size A7 which is larger than the sizeA6. In this way, the user may receive strong coldness through thecontact portion 42400 in the seventh feedback section while viewing thescene in which the protagonist comes out of the water in the seventhevent section.

Examples of causing pieces of suitable thermal feedback to correspond tovarious thermal events to express the thermal events have been describedabove.

The special effect control system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention may express various types of thermal events, otherthan the above-described explosion scene or swimming scene, by usingthermal feedback.

In addition, although only cold feedback and hot feedback have beenmentioned in the above-described example, the special effect controlsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention may alsoexpress a thermal event in which a protagonist in multimedia contentgets injured. To this end, the special effect control system may providethermal pain feedback in a time section corresponding to a time sectionin which the thermal event is provided.

Hereinafter, a method in which the above-described various types ofthermal feedback are actually produced/provided in the special effectchair 42000 according to an embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed in detail.

FIG. 99 shows a thermal feedback controlling method of the specialeffect control system according to an embodiment. First, the specialeffect chair 42000 obtains thermal feedback data (S41100). Thecontroller 42600 in the special effect chair 42000 interprets thereceived thermal feedback data to obtain information on power applied tothe thermoelectric element 42320 (S41200). The controller 42600generates an electrical signal according to the obtained information andapplies the generated electrical signal to the thermoelectric element42320 (S41300).

Hereinafter, each of the above-listed steps will be described in detail.

First, the controller 42600 of the special effect chair 42000 may obtainthermal feedback data (S41100). The thermal feedback data may betransmitted from the central control device 41000 to the controller42600 through the communication unit 42100. There may be various methodsof transmitting thermal feedback data to a controller. For example, thepieces of information on a plurality of pieces of thermal feedbackcorresponding to all thermal events in multimedia content may beincluded in thermal feedback data at once and transmitted to the specialeffect chair 42000. Alternatively, pieces of information on pieces ofunit thermal feedbacks corresponding to unit thermal events may betransmitted to the special effect chair 42000 over several times. Theunit thermal event refers to a single thermal event constituting aplurality of thermal events included from a start time point to an endtime point of multimedia content. For example, a single unit thermalevent may refer to a single explosion scene included in multimediacontent. The method in which the controller 42600 receives thermalfeedback data from the central control device 41000 will be described inmore detail below.

Alternatively, thermal feedback data may be pre-stored in a memoryincluded in the special effect chair 42000 itself instead of essentiallygoing through the process in which the thermal feedback data istransmitted from the central control device 41000. When the role of thecentral control device 41000 collectively controlling the special effectcontrol system is insignificant since there is only one special effectchair 42000, or when the need for synchronizing different special effectchairs and feedback provision is low due to the special effect chair42000 separately including an audiovisual video output device, theabove-described method in which thermal feedback data is provided fromthe internal memory of the special effect chair 42000, instead of fromthe central control device 41000, to the controller 42600 may be useful.

The controller 42600 interprets the obtained thermal feedback data toobtain information on thermal feedback (S41200).

In the obtained thermal feedback data, thermal feedback informationincluding thermal feedback type information, thermal feedback intensityinformation, thermal feedback timing information, and the like may beincluded in an encoded state. The controller 42600 may decode thethermal feedback data to obtain the information on thermal feedback. Thecontroller 42600 may interpret the information on thermal feedback toobtain information on power applied to the thermoelectric element 42320.The information on the applied power may include information on adirection in which power is applied to the thermoelectric element 42320,information on a current value or voltage value of power applied to thethermoelectric element 42320, information on a time point at which poweris applied to the thermoelectric element 42320 and a time point at whichthe application of the power is stopped, and the like. The time point atwhich power is applied to the thermoelectric element 42320 and the timepoint at which the application of the power is stopped are times pointsobtained from a thermal feedback providing time point in considerationof time taken for performing a thermoelectric operation and may bedifferent from the thermal feedback providing time point.

If the graph of FIG. 98B is a graph schematically showing thermalfeedback information, the information obtained by the controller 42600is information on a configuration of power applied to the thermoelectricelement 42320 to implement the thermal feedback illustrated in FIG. 98B.

The controller 42600 may generate an electrical signal according to theobtained information and apply the generated electrical signal to thethermoelectric element 42320 (S41300).

The controller 42600 may generate power to be applied having apredetermined size of voltage value according to the obtainedinformation on applied power, apply power to the thermoelectric element42320 at a predetermined application time point, and apply power in apredetermined direction.

For example, the controller 42600 may apply power to the thermoelectricelement 42320 at a power application time point corresponding to thestart time point T1 of the first feedback section. The applied power mayhave a voltage value corresponding to the thermal feedback size A1. Adirection in which the power is applied may be a forward direction. Thecontroller 42600 may stop the application of the power to thethermoelectric element 42320 at a power application stop time pointcorresponding to the end time point T2 of the first feedback section.The controller 42600 may apply power to the thermoelectric element 42320at a power application time point corresponding to the start time pointT2 of the second feedback section. The applied power may have a voltagevalue corresponding to the thermal feedback size A2. A direction inwhich the power is applied may be a forward direction. The controller42600 may stop the application of the power to the thermoelectricelement 42320 at a power application stop time point corresponding tothe end time point T3 of the second feedback section. Likewise, thecontroller 42600 may apply power to the thermoelectric element 42320 ata power application time point corresponding to the start time point T3of the third feedback section. The applied power may have a voltagevalue corresponding to the thermal feedback size A3. A direction inwhich the power is applied may be a forward direction. The controller42600 may stop the application of the power to the thermoelectricelement 42320 at a power application stop time point corresponding tothe end time point T4 of the third feedback section.

The thermoelectric element 42320 performs a thermoelectric operation inresponse to the power applied thereto at the power application timepoint. In this way, at the front surface 42324 of the thermoelectricelement 42320, the endothermic operation or exothermic operation forproviding thermal feedback occurs. At the rear surface 42325 of thethermoelectric element 42320, due to a characteristic of thethermoelectric effect, a thermoelectric operation of a type opposite tothe type of thermal feedback occurs. Since the front surface 42324 ofthe thermoelectric element 42320 is thermally connected to the contactportion 42400, heat generated at the front surface 42324 of thethermoelectric element 42320, of which the heat generated at the frontsurface 42324 has a positive value when the thermoelectric operation isthe exothermic operation and has a negative value when thethermoelectric operation is the endothermic operation, may betransferred to the contact portion 42400. By the transferred heat beingre-transferred from the contact portion 42400 to the user's body,thermal feedback may be provided to the user.

The power applied to the thermoelectric element 42320 is the electricalsignal generated on the basis of the information obtained from thethermal feedback data by the special effect controller 42600 in theprevious step S41200. Therefore, suitable thermal feedback may beprovided corresponding to a thermal event in the multimedia content. Forexample, the thermoelectric element 42320 may generate a predeterminedtype of thermal feedback in the thermal feedback data. Also, thethermoelectric element 42320 may begin a thermoelectric operation at apredetermined power application time point for providing thermalfeedback. Also, the thermoelectric element 42320 may generate apredetermined amount of heat for providing thermal feedback.

The controller 42600 may stop the supply of power applied to thethermoelectric element 42320 at the time point at which application ofpower is stopped based on the obtained information (S1400).

When the supply of power is stopped, the thermoelectric element 42320stops the thermoelectric operation, and the provision of thermalfeedback ends. In this way, the provision of thermal feedback may bestopped at the time point at which expressing a thermal event usingthermal feedback is stopped.

Hereinafter, a method in which the central control device 41000transmits the thermal feedback data to the special effect chair 42000 inthe special effect control system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention will be described.

A method of transmitting thermal feedback data may be implemented invarious forms.

For example, the central control device 41000 may transmit the pieces ofinformation on thermal feedback that should be provided to the usercorresponding to all thermal events in multimedia content at once to thespecial effect chair 42000. In this case, the controller 42600 mayinterpret the thermal feedback data while maintaining the receivedthermal feedback data in the internal memory to apply an appropriatetype of power to the thermoelectric element 42320 at an appropriateperiod of time. In this case, time synchronization, in which the currenttime recognized by each special effect chair 42000 is reset to be thesame, should be performed so that the same thermal feedback may beprovided in each special effect chair 42000 at the same time point. Thisis because, in a theater accommodating multiple users, it is common thatmultimedia content is reproduced at the same time and ended at the sametime. Particularly, when multiple users share a single audiovisual videooutput device, the need for performing the time synchronization may befurther increased.

Hereinafter, a method of providing thermal feedback in the specialeffect control system when all of the pieces of thermal feedbackincluded in multimedia content are transmitted from the central controldevice 41000 to each special effect chair 42000 at once will bedescribed mainly on the basis of the time synchronization function withreference to FIG. 100 .

First, the central control device 41000 transmits a first timesynchronization signal to each special effect chair 42000 (S42100).Next, a first piece of thermal feedback is provided in each specialeffect chair 42000 (S42200). The central control device 41000 maytransmit a second time synchronization signal to each special effectchair 42000 during reproduction of multimedia (S42300). Next, eachspecial effect chair 42000 may provide a second piece of thermalfeedback (S42400). Each special effect chair 42000 stops the provisionof thermal feedback at a thermal feedback end time point obtained fromthermal feedback data (S42500).

Hereinafter, each of the above-listed steps will be described in detail.

First, the central control device 41000 may transmit a first timesynchronization signal to each special effect chair 42000 (S42100).

Each special effect chair 42000 receives the synchronization signalthrough the communication unit 42100 and transmits the receivedsynchronization signal to the controller 42600. The time synchronizationsignal may be transmitted in the form of encoded data. The timesynchronization signal may include a specific time that has to be set asthe current time at the moment at which each special effect chair 42000processes the time synchronization signal. In each special effect chair42000, the controller 42600 processes the first time synchronizationsignal and sets a specific time included in the first timesynchronization signal as the current time. In this way, the controller42600 in each special effect chair 42000 may recognize the same time asthe current time.

Next, a first piece of thermal feedback may be provided in the specialeffect chair 42000 (S42200).

To this end, the central control device 41000 may transmit thermalfeedback data to the plurality of special effect chairs 42000. Thethermal feedback data may include information on a plurality of piecesof thermal feedback that should be provided in series from a time pointat which reproduction of multimedia content begins to a time point atwhich the reproduction of the multimedia content ends. The controller42600 may interpret the received thermal feedback data to obtaininformation on applied power. The obtained information may includeinformation on a first power application time and a second powerapplication time for providing the first piece of thermal feedback andthe second piece of thermal feedback. The information on the first powerapplication time and the second power application time may be set on thebasis of time synchronized according to the time synchronizationperformed in the previous step. The controller 42600 in each specialeffect chair 42000 may apply power to the thermoelectric element 42320at the first power application time. The thermoelectric element 42320 ineach special effect chair 42000 may provide the first piece of thermalfeedback to the user by power applied thereto. Since the first powerapplication time is the same in each special effect chair 42000, thefirst piece of thermal feedback may be provided at the same time in eachspecial effect chair 42000.

In addition to the power application times for providing thermalfeedback, the thermal feedback data may include various pieces ofinformation on a direction and size of applied power. However, here,description will be given mainly on the basis of time synchronizationfor simultaneously providing thermal feedback in a plurality of specialeffect chairs 42000. Therefore, even when only the information on powerapplication time is mentioned regarding provision of thermal feedback,it should be understood that various other pieces of information onthermal feedback regarding the provision of thermal feedback are beingdescribed together.

Here, each of the first piece of thermal feedback and the second pieceof thermal feedback merely refer to a single piece of thermal feedbackarbitrarily selected among a series of pieces of thermal feedback and donot necessarily refer to a piece of thermal feedback that is providedfirst or a piece of thermal feedback that is provided second in time.

Here, the central control device 41000 transmitting thermal feedbackdata to the special effect chair 42000 is not necessarily performedlater in time than the first time synchronization. The controller 42600may also receive the first time synchronization signal afterreceiving/interpreting the thermal feedback data. However, theapplication of power to the thermoelectric element 42320 at the firstpower application time should be later in time than the first timesynchronization.

The central control device 41000 may transmit a second timesynchronization signal to each special effect chair 42000 during thereproduction of multimedia (S42300).

The first time synchronization is performed immediately before thereproduction of multimedia in the preceding step. When a certain amountof time has passed after the first time synchronization and thermalfeedback has been provided for a predetermined number of times or more,a difference may occur in the current time recognized by each specialeffect chair 42000 due to an unexpected variable. To deal with such adifference, the central control device 41000 may transmit a second timesynchronization signal to each special effect chair 42000 periodicallyduring the reproduction of multimedia, thereby removing the timedifference that may occur. In each special effect chair 42000, thecurrent time is reset to the synchronized time according to the secondtime synchronization signal.

Here, the first time synchronization and the second time synchronizationrefer to time synchronizations arbitrarily selected among a plurality oftime synchronizations, and it is not necessary for the first timesynchronization and the second time synchronization to be consecutive.

The number of times of transmitting a time synchronization signal or atime interval between times at which time synchronization signals aretransmitted may be preset by a manager managing the special effectsystem. Alternatively, the time synchronization may be performed underthe judgment of the central control device 41000. For example, thecentral control device 41000 may periodically receive information on thecurrent time recognized in each special effect chair 42000 from eachspecial effect chair 42000. The central control device 41000 may comparethe current time received from each special effect chair 42000 with thecurrent time received from another special effect chair 42000. When adifference value of a certain extent or more occurs between the currenttimes recognized by the special effect chairs 42000, the central controldevice 41000 may determine that time synchronization is necessary andtransmit a time synchronization signal to each special effect chair42000.

Next, each special effect chair 42000 may provide the second piece ofthermal feedback (S42400).

The controller 42600 in each special effect chair 42000 may apply powerto the thermoelectric element 42320 at the second power application timepoint for providing the second piece of thermal feedback. In this way,the second piece of thermal feedback may be provided in each specialeffect chair 42000 at the same time.

The controller 42600 in each special effect chair 42000 ends theapplication of power at a thermal feedback end time point obtained fromthe thermal feedback data (S42500).

Due to ending the application of power to the thermoelectric element42320 in each special effect chair 42000 at the same times, theprovision of thermal feedback may end in each special effect chair 42000at the same time. To this end, a thermal feedback end signal may betransmitted from the central control device 41000 to each special effectchair 42000. The transmitting of the thermal feedback end signal is notalways necessary. For example, the application of power may also beended by information on ending thermal feedback being included inthermal feedback data stored in each special effect chair 42000.

In another embodiment in which thermal feedback data is transmitted toeach special effect chair 42000, the central control device 41000 maydivide the thermal feedback data into a plurality of pieces of unitthermal feedback data to transmit the thermal feedback data.

Hereinafter, a method of providing thermal feedback using a method inwhich the central control device 41000 divides thermal feedback andtransmits divided pieces of thermal feedback to each special effectchair 42000 will be described with reference to FIG. 101 .

First, the central control device 41000 obtains thermal feedback dataand interprets the obtained thermal feedback data to obtain informationon thermal feedback (S43100). Next, the special effect control systemprovides a first piece of thermal feedback (S43200). Next, the specialeffect control system provides a second piece of thermal feedback(S43300). Lastly, the special effect control system ends the provisionof thermal feedback (S43400).

Hereinafter, each of the above-listed steps will be described in detail.

First, the central control device 41000 obtains thermal feedback dataand interprets the obtained thermal feedback data to obtain informationon thermal feedback (S43100).

The information on thermal feedback includes thermal feedback typeinformation, thermal feedback intensity information, and thermalfeedback timing information. From the aspect of applied power, adirection in which power is applied may be included in the thermalfeedback type information. Also, a voltage value or a current value ofapplied power may be included in the thermal feedback intensityinformation. Also, a power application time point and a powerapplication stop time point may be included in the thermal feedbacktiming information.

The thermal feedback data may include information on a plurality ofpieces of thermal feedback provided in series from a start point to anend point of multimedia content. The controller 41300 in the centralcontrol device 41000 may divide or classify the obtained information onthe plurality of pieces of thermal feedback in to a plurality of piecesof unit thermal feedback information. A single piece of unit thermalfeedback information refers to information on thermal feedbackcorresponding to a single unit thermal event. For example, when athermal event is a scene in which an explosion occurs, the unit thermalfeedback information may be information indicating that a direction inwhich power is applied to provide hot feedback corresponding to theexplosion scene is a forward direction. Alternatively, the unit thermalfeedback information may be information on a time point at which powerapplication begins corresponding to a time point at which the explosionscene starts. Alternatively, the unit thermal feedback information maybe information on a voltage value of power applied to the thermoelectricelement 42320 to express warmth corresponding to the explosion.

For convenience of description, among pieces of unit thermal feedback,an arbitrary piece of unit thermal feedback will be referred to as afirst piece of thermal feedback, and another arbitrary piece of unitthermal feedback that occurs later in time than the first piece ofthermal feedback will be referred to as a second piece of thermalfeedback. A time point at which power is applied to the thermoelectricelement 42320 to provide the first piece of thermal feedback will bereferred to as a first power application time point, and a time point atwhich power is applied to the thermoelectric element 42320 to providethe second piece of thermal feedback will be referred to as a secondpower application time point.

Next, the first piece of thermal feedback may be provided in the specialeffect control system (S43200).

The central control device 41000 may transmit a first piece of thermalfeedback information to each special effect chair 42000. A time point atwhich the first piece of thermal feedback information is transmitted maybe a time point earlier than the first power application time point by apredetermined time interval. The predetermined time interval may be timetaken for thermal feedback information to be processed and power to beapplied in the controller 42600.

The controller 42600 in each special effect may receive the first pieceof thermal feedback information and interpret the received first pieceof thermal feedback information to obtain information on first appliedpower. The controller 42600 may apply the first applied power based onthe obtained information to the thermoelectric element 42320, therebyproviding the first piece of thermal feedback. Alternatively, instead ofthe controller 42600 in each special effect interpreting the first pieceof thermal feedback information, the central control device 41000 maydirectly interpret the first piece of thermal feedback information anddirectly apply the first applied power in the form of an electricalsignal to the thermoelectric element 42320.

The first applied power may only be maintained until a first appliedpower stop time point, and the first applied power may be stopped afterthe first applied power stop time point. The first applied power stoptime point may be included in the first piece of thermal feedbackinformation that the special effect controller 42600 has receivedpreviously. Alternatively, the central control device 41000 may alsotransmit a signal for stopping the application of power at a time pointearlier than the first applied power stop time point by a predeterminedtime interval. The predetermined time interval may be time taken for thecontroller 42600 in the special effect chair 42000 to transmit andprocess the signal for stopping the first applied power and stop theapplied power.

It has been described above that the central control device 41000 onlytransmits the first piece of thermal feedback information to the specialeffect chair 42000. However, according to circumstances, the centralcontrol device 41000 may also transmit a second piece of thermalfeedback information as well as the first piece of thermal feedbackinformation to the special effect chair 42000.

Next, the second piece of thermal feedback may be provided in thespecial effect control system (S43300).

The central control device 41000 may transmit a second piece of thermalfeedback information to each special effect chair 42000. A time point atwhich the second piece of thermal feedback information is transmittedmay be a time point earlier than the second power application time pointby a predetermined time interval. The predetermined time interval may betime taken for thermal feedback information to be processed and power tobe applied in the controller 42600.

The controller 42600 in each special effect may receive the second pieceof thermal feedback information and interpret the received second pieceof thermal feedback information to obtain information on second appliedpower. The controller 42600 may apply the second applied power based onthe obtained information to the thermoelectric element 42320, therebyproviding the second piece of thermal feedback. Alternatively, insteadof the controller 42600 in each special effect interpreting the secondpiece of thermal feedback information, the central control device 41000may directly interpret the second piece of thermal feedback informationand directly apply the second applied power in the form of an electricalsignal to the thermoelectric element 42320.

The second applied power may only be maintained until a second appliedpower stop time point, and the second applied power may be stopped afterthe second applied power stop time point. The second applied power stoptime point may be included in the second piece of thermal feedbackinformation that the special effect controller 42600 has receivedpreviously. Alternatively, the central control device 41000 may alsotransmit a signal for stopping the application of power at a time pointearlier than the second applied power stop time point by a predeterminedtime interval. The predetermined time interval may be time taken for thecontroller 42600 in the special effect chair 42000 to transmit andprocess the signal for stopping the second applied power and stop theapplied power.

Lastly, the special effect control system ends the provision of thermalfeedback (S43400).

The central control device 41000 transmits a signal for endingapplication of power to each special effect chair 42000. Each specialeffect chair 42000 stops the provision of thermal feedback according tothe end signal. Here, a time point at which the central control device41000 transmits a signal for ending the application of power may be atime point earlier than the thermal feedback end time point by apredetermined time interval. The predetermined time interval may be timetaken for each special effect chair 42000 to transmit/process the signalfor ending the application of power and actually end the application ofpower.

Here, the transmitting of the thermal feedback ending signal is notalways necessary, and the last thermal feedback stop time point may alsobe understood as an end of thermal feedback.

The methods of providing thermal feedback in each special effect chair42000 in connection with the central control device 41000 have beendescribed above. Hereinafter, a method of correcting thermal feedbackwill be described.

3.4. Correcting Thermal Feedback

Regarding thermal feedback at the same intensity, the degree of warmthactually felt may be different for each user. Therefore, there is a needfor correction to adjust an intensity of thermal feedback. Correction onan intensity of thermal feedback may be performed by adjusting astrength of a voltage applied to the thermoelectric element 42320.

Hereinafter, correcting an intensity of thermal feedback will bedescribed in detail.

The sensitivity at which the user senses thermal feedback may bedifferent for each user according to differences in physicalcharacteristics of the users, clothing worn by the users, and the like.Therefore, it may be necessary for the user to adjust the power andintensity of thermal feedback directly to an extent that each user maysense a thermal experience in an optimal state. To this end, the specialeffect chair 42000 according to an embodiment of the present inventionmay further include a user input unit 44000 receiving a user input. Theuser input unit 44000 may convert the received user input to the form ofan electrical signal and transmit the converted user input to thecontroller 42600.

FIG. 102 illustrates the user input unit 44000 according to anembodiment of the present invention. The user input unit 44000 mayinclude a power button 44100 with which on/off of thermal feedback maybe selected. Also, the user input unit 44000 may include a feedbackintensity adjusting button 44200 with which an intensity of thermalfeedback may be adjusted from a low level to a high level. Regarding hotfeedback and cold feedback, the intensities of pieces of thermalfeedback may be adjusted in the same direction at once. Alternatively,regarding hot feedback and cold feedback, intensities of pieces ofthermal feedback may be adjusted independently.

The intensity adjusting button may have various forms. For example, theintensity adjusting button may also be provided in the form of a switch,form of a button, form of a wheel, or form of a touchscreen.

According to circumstances, the user input unit 44000 may furtherinclude a display. Multimedia content reproduction information, feedbackintensity information, and the like may be displayed on the display.

The user input unit 44000 may be disposed on any location as long as itis easy for a seated user to manipulate the user input unit 44000 at thelocation. For example, when the seating portion 42200 includes anarmrest portion, the user input unit 44000 may be disposed at one end ofthe armrest portion. The user input unit 44000 may be disposed at alocation that is easy for the user to reach with his/her hand while theuser's arm is placed on the armrest portion.

The user input unit 44000 may have a form attached and fixed to aportion of the seating portion 42200 or may have a form attachable toand detachable from a portion of the seating portion 42200.

The user input unit 44000 may be communicatively connected to thecontroller 42600 in the special effect chair 42000 via a wire orwirelessly. For example, by including an infrared transmitter/receiver,the user input unit 44000 may wirelessly transmit a received user inputto the controller 42600.

Other than the above-described forms, the user input unit 44000 may alsobe implemented in various forms having an interface so that the user mayadjust an intensity of thermal feedback.

Hereinafter, a method in which an intensity of thermal feedback isadjusted using the user input unit 44000 will be described withreference to FIG. 103 .

First, the controller 42600 obtains a reference voltage value accordingto each feedback intensity (S44100). The controller 42600 may obtain acorrection amount according to a user input (S44200). The controller42600 may obtain an applied voltage value according to a user input(S44300).

Hereinafter, the method in which an intensity of thermal feedback isadjusted will be described in detail for each step.

First, the controller 42600 may obtain a reference voltage valueaccording to each feedback intensity (S44100).

For example, intensities of thermal feedback may include intensitiesfrom a first level at which an intensity is the lowest, i.e., a voltagevalue of applied power is the smallest, to a third level at which anintensity is the highest, i.e., a voltage value of applied power is thehighest. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, description willbe given using hot feedback as an example. The intensity of the firstlevel is an intensity of hot feedback provided at a scene in which aprotagonist drinks a hot tea in multimedia content. The intensity of thesecond level is an intensity at which hotness stronger than that of theintensity of the first level is provided. For example, the intensity ofthe second level is an intensity of hot feedback provided in a scene inwhich a protagonist basks in a bonfire. At the intensity of the thirdlevel, hotness stronger than that of the intensity of the second levelmay be provided. For example, the intensity of the third level is anintensity of hot feedback provided at a scene in which an explosionoccurs close to the protagonist.

In order to provide an intensity of hot feedback corresponding to eachlevel, a voltage value of applied power may be set differently for hotfeedback corresponding to each level. Here, a voltage value of appliedpower set corresponding to each feedback level is referred to as areference voltage value. A voltage value corresponding to a first hotfeedback level is referred to as a first reference voltage value. Avoltage value corresponding to a second hot feedback level is referredto as a second reference voltage value. A voltage value corresponding toa third hot feedback level is referred to as a third reference voltagevalue.

Each of the reference voltage values may be included in information onthermal feedback. The controller 42600 may receive the information onthermal feedback from the central control device 41000. The controller42600 may interpret the information on thermal feedback to obtain thereference voltage value for each level.

For example, the first reference voltage value corresponding to thefirst level of a hot feedback intensity may be set to any one voltagevalue in a forward direction. The second reference voltage value may bea voltage value greater than the first reference voltage value. Thethird reference voltage value may be a voltage value greater than thesecond reference voltage value.

In some cases, thermal feedback is provided without a signal forcorrection being input through the user input unit 44000. In this case,the controller 42600 may set voltage values of power applied to thethermoelectric element 42320 according to each feedback level toreference voltage values corresponding to each feedback level.

Next, the controller 42600 may obtain a correction amount according to auser input (S44200).

The user may press “hot feedback intensity increase button” of the userinput unit 44000. The user input unit 44000 may sense the user input andtransmit the user input in the form of an electrical signal to thecontroller 42600. The controller 42600 may interpret the user input. Thecontroller 42600 may obtain a correction amount corresponding to theuser input. The correction amount refers to a size of a voltage added toa reference voltage value of each feedback level corresponding to theuser input. The correction amount may be a different value for eachfeedback level. Alternatively, the correction amount may be the samevalue for each feedback level.

When a user input for increasing an intensity of hot feedback isreceived one or more times, a correction amount may be obtained as manytimes as the user input has been input.

Correction amounts corresponding to different user inputs may be valuesdifferent from each other.

The correction amount may be a value preset by a manager managing thespecial effect control system according to a specific purpose; thespecific purpose may be, for example, to cause hot feedback provided ateach level to be increased by the same amount of heat or to cause hotfeedback provided at each level to rise by the same temperature as theintensity of the feedback is corrected. The correction amount may be avalue included in thermal feedback data.

Next, the controller 42600 may obtain an applied voltage value accordingto a user input (S44300).

The applied voltage value refers to a voltage value applied by thecontroller 42600 to the thermoelectric element 42320 for provision ofthermal feedback. The applied voltage value may be obtained by addingthe correction amount to the reference voltage value. Therefore, theapplied voltage value is obtained as a value greater than the referencevoltage value since the correction amount is a positive value when asignal for increasing an intensity of hot feedback is input. A differentvalue may be obtained as the applied voltage value for each feedbacklevel. A different value may be obtained as the applied voltage valueaccording to the number of times the user input has been received. Then,when providing hot feedback, the controller 42600 applies power havingthe applied voltage value to the thermoelectric element 42320. In thisway, the user may receive a stronger degree of hot feedback by pressingthe hot feedback intensity increase button.

In addition, the above-described steps may also be applied when the usermanipulates a hot feedback intensity decrease button. However, in thiscase, the correction amount has a negative value. Therefore, an appliedvoltage value obtained by adding the correction amount to a referencevoltage value may be a value less than the reference voltage value. Inthis way, the user may receive hot feedback at a weaker intensity.

The above description has been given on the basis of hot feedback.However, the above description may also be applied to intensitycorrection of cold feedback. In this case, a direction in which power isapplied may be changed to a reverse direction.

Unlike the above description, regarding intensities of hot feedback andcold feedback, the intensities of pieces of thermal feedback may becorrected at once by a single user input. In this case, the correctionamount regarding the intensity of hot feedback may have a positivevalue, and the correction amount regarding the intensity of coldfeedback may have a negative value. Sizes (based on absolute values) ofthe correction amount regarding the intensity of hot feedback and thecorrection amount regarding the intensity of cold feedback may bedifferent from each other. When an input for correction of intensitiesof hot feedback and cold feedback is input several times, eachcorrection amount corresponding to one-time correction may be adifferent value.

When necessary, the controller 42600 may inform the central controldevice 41000 that correction has been performed on an intensity ofthermal feedback through the communication unit 42100.

In addition, when the special effect control system according to anembodiment of the present invention further includes a temperaturesensor to obtain a heat dissipation request message, changes to areference temperature value and a cooling reference value may beaccompanied corresponding to correction of an intensity of thermalfeedback. This will be described in detail below in relation to a methodof controlling a heat dissipating operation.

4. Method of Controlling Heat Dissipating Operation

Hereinafter, a method of controlling a heat dissipating operationperformed by the special effect control system according to anembodiment of the present invention will be described.

4.1. Outline of Heat Dissipating Operation

It has been described above that the heat dissipating operation is anoperation for dissipating waste heat, which accumulates in the specialeffect chair 42000 due to the thermoelectric operation of thethermoelectric element 42320, to outside the special effect chair 42000.If the heat dissipating operation is not performed in time, theaccumulated waste heat may affect sensitivity of thermal feedback andmay become a risk factor that may cause a problem in terms of durabilityof the special effect chair 42000 or cause a burn on the user's body.

In the special effect control system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, obtaining a heat dissipation request message may berequired for a heat dissipating operation to be performed.

In the special effect control system according to another embodiment ofthe present invention, obtaining a heat dissipation permission messagemay be required for a heat dissipating operation to be performed.

In the special effect control system according to another embodiment ofthe present invention, 1) obtaining a heat dissipation request messageand 2) obtaining a heat dissipation permission message may be requiredfor a heat dissipating operation to occur.

Here, the expression “obtain” the message may be understood to meanthat, when whether a certain condition is satisfied in a singlecontroller is determined, the certain condition has been satisfied.

For example, the heat dissipation request message and the heatdissipation permission message may be in the form of a control signalgenerated at a time point at which a certain condition is satisfied.

For example, there may be a specific condition required to perform aheat dissipating operation. When such a necessary condition for heatdissipation is satisfied, it can be seen that a heat dissipation requestmessage has been obtained. Also, there may be a specific condition inwhich it is possible to perform a heat dissipating operationtemporally/spatially. When such a condition for permitting heatdissipation is satisfied, it can be seen that a heat dissipationpermission message has been obtained.

In order to determine whether the necessary condition for heatdissipation or condition for permitting heat dissipation is satisfied,i.e., whether the heat dissipation request message or heat dissipationpermission message is obtained, a controller may receive informationfrom a separate sensor/information obtainer. The received informationmay be, for example, a temperature value, a noise value, a heatdissipation start time point/stop time point, an acceleration value, andthe like. The information may be determined in order to determine thenecessary condition for heat dissipation or condition for permittingheat dissipation. The information may not necessarily be used only fordetermination of any one condition.

Hereinafter, a heat dissipating operation method including obtaining aheat dissipation request message and obtaining a heat dissipationpermission message will be described with reference to FIG. 104 . Theobtaining of the heat dissipation request message will be describedfirst for convenience of description, but an order may not necessarilybe present between the obtaining of the heat dissipation request messageand the obtaining of the heat dissipation permission message. Therefore,the obtaining of the heat dissipation permission message may beperformed first, or the two steps may also be simultaneously performed.

First, the controller 42600 may obtain the heat dissipation requestmessage (S45100). Then, the controller 42600 may obtain the heatdissipation permission message (S45200). The controller 42600 mayperform a heat dissipating operation (S45300).

Hereinafter, each step will be described in detail.

First, the controller 42600 may obtain the heat dissipation requestmessage (S45100).

The heat dissipation request message is a message that informs thecontroller 42600 that a heat dissipating operation should be performed.That is, when more heat is accumulated than necessary, the heatdissipation request message may be obtained.

There may be various methods of obtaining the heat dissipation requestmessage. For example, the heat dissipation request message may beobtained by interpreting heat dissipation data. As another example, heatdissipation data may be obtained by measuring a temperature of a portionof the special effect chair 42000. In addition to the above-describedexamples, the heat dissipation request message may be obtained using anyother methods capable of determining that a certain amount or more ofwaste heat has been accumulated.

There may be various periods of time in which the heat dissipationrequest message is obtained. For example, the heat dissipation requestmessage may be obtained at an intermediate time point between a heatdissipating operation start time point and a heat dissipating operationstop time point included in heat dissipation data. As another example,the heat dissipation request message may be obtained at a time point atwhich a temperature of a portion of the special effect chair 42000reaches a reference temperature value or higher. In addition to theabove-described examples, the heat dissipation request message may beobtained at a time point at which waste heat is accumulated by a certainamount or more.

The method of obtaining the heat dissipation request message and timesand conditions related thereto will be described in more detail below.

Next, the controller 42600 may obtain the heat dissipation permissionmessage (S45200).

As described above, the heat dissipation permission message is a messagemeaning that a condition under which a heat dissipating operation may beperformed is met.

There may be various factors that may be taken into consideration topermit a heat dissipating operation.

For example, a condition under which a heat dissipating operation may beperformed may refer to a time section in which it is fine for a heatdissipating operation to be performed temporally. Alternatively, acondition under which a heat dissipating operation may be performed maymean that a place in which a heat dissipating operation may be performedis secured spatially. Alternatively, a condition under which a heatdissipating operation may be performed may refer to a condition thatdoes not interfere with the user enjoying multimedia content even when aheat dissipating operation is performed for other reasons.

An example of a heat dissipation permission message will be described.The heat dissipating operation may occasionally cause noise in drivingthe heat dissipation module 42500. The caused noise may become a factorthat interferes with the user enjoying multimedia content. Therefore,the controller 42600 may perform the heat dissipating operation onlywhen noise is generated around the special effect chair 42000, therebyminimizing the possibility that the heat dissipating operation will bean interfering factor. To this end, the controller 42600 in the specialeffect chair 42000 may be connected to a noise sensor. The controller42600 may interpret and process noise information measured from thenoise sensor, thereby obtaining a heat dissipation permission messagewhen a certain condition is satisfied.

Still another example of the heat dissipation permission message will bedescribed. The seating portion 42200 may perform an operation such asrotation or vibration as a type of a special effect. When a heatdissipating operation is performed while the seating portion 42200performs the special effect operation, the heat dissipating operationmay be performed in a situation in which it is not recognized by theuser. Therefore, the heat dissipating operation may not interfere withthe user enjoying multimedia content. To this end, the controller 42600may sense that the seating portion 42200 is performing the specialeffect operation such as rotation or vibration. For example, thecontroller 42600 may be connected to an acceleration sensor.Alternatively, the controller 42600 may also interpret data includinginformation on the special effect operation. Using the accelerationsensor or information on the special effect operation, the controller42600 may recognize that the seating portion 42200 is performing thespecial effect operation. Upon sensing that the special effect operationis being performed, the controller 42600 may obtain the heat dissipationpermission message.

The above-described embodiments will be described in more detail below.

When the controller 42600 has not obtained the heat dissipationpermission message, if a control signal is being transmitted to the heatdissipation module 42500, the controller 42600 may stop the transmissionof the control signal. In this way, the heat dissipating operation maybe stopped. The controller 42600 may not transmit a control signal tothe heat dissipation module 42500 until the heat dissipation requestmessage and the heat dissipation permission message are obtained again.

However, there may be an exceptional case in which the heat dissipatingoperation has to be performed even if the heat dissipation permissionmessage has not been obtained. For example, when a temperature value ofthe contact portion 42400 has risen to an extent that a danger may becaused to the user's body, there is a need to perform the heatdissipating operation due to only the heat dissipation request messageregardless of whether the heat dissipation permission message isobtained. To be prepared for such a case, information on whether theheat dissipating operation is urgently required may be included in theheat dissipation request message. When the heat dissipating operation isurgent, the controller 42600 may determine to perform the heatdissipating operation even if the heat dissipation permission messagehas not been obtained. When the heat dissipating operation is noturgent, the controller 42600 may determine to not perform the heatdissipating operation. The above-described determining of whether theheat dissipating operation is urgently required may not be necessary.

Next, the controller 42600 may perform the heat dissipating operation(S5400).

When the heat dissipation request message and the heat dissipationpermission message have been obtained, the controller 42600 may performthe heat dissipation. The controller 42600 may transmit a control signalcausing the heat dissipating operation to occur to the heat dissipationmodule 42500 to perform the heat dissipating operation. For example, thecontroller may determine a start time point of a heat dissipatingoperation, a stop time point of the heat dissipating operation, and anintensity of the heat dissipating operation on the basis of informationwhich has been used to determine whether the heat dissipation requestmessage or the heat dissipation permission message has been obtained.

4.2. Heat Dissipation Request Message

Hereinafter, an implementation of a heat dissipation request messagewill be described in detail.

In FIG. 105 , as an embodiment of obtaining a heat dissipation requestmessage, a method of using heat dissipation data will be described.

First, the controller 42600 may obtain heat dissipation data (S46100).Then, the controller 42600 may obtain heat dissipating operationinformation (S46200). Then, the controller 42600 may determine,according to a heat dissipation request message obtaining condition,whether the heat dissipation request message has been obtained (S46300).The controller 42600 may obtain the heat dissipation request message(S46400). Hereinafter, each step will be described in detail.

First, the controller 42600 may obtain heat dissipation data (S46100).The heat dissipation data is data including information on a heatdissipating operation in connection with thermal feedback data.Information on the heat dissipating operation may be information on astart time point ti and a stop time point te of a heat dissipatingoperation and an intensity of the heat dissipating operation. The starttime point ti and the stop time point te of the heat dissipatingoperation and the intensity of the heat dissipating operation areinserted at a time point at which heat dissipation is determined to benecessary in consideration of a number of times, a time duration, anintensity, and the like of thermal feedback in connection with thermalfeedback data.

The special effect chair 42000 may receive the heat dissipation datafrom the central control device 41000 through the communication unit42100. The heat dissipation data may include information on a pluralityof heat dissipating operations. The central control device 41000 maytransmit the entirety of information on the plurality of heatdissipating operations at once. Alternatively, the information on theplurality of heat dissipating operations may be divided or classifiedinto pieces of information on a plurality of unit heat dissipatingoperations. The central control device 41000 may also transmit thedivided pieces of information on unit heat dissipating operations to thespecial effect chair 42000 over several times.

Next, the controller 42600 may obtain heat dissipating operationinformation (S46200). The controller 42600 may interpret the heatdissipation data to obtain information on the start time point ti andthe stop time point te of the heat dissipating operation and theintensity of the heat dissipating operation.

Next, the controller 42600 may determine, according to a heatdissipation request message obtaining condition, whether the heatdissipation request message has been obtained (S46300). The heatdissipation request message obtaining condition may be a condition ofcomparing the current time with the start time point ti and the stoptime point te of the heat dissipating operation. The controller 42600itself may know information on the current time t. The controller 42600may determine that there is no need to perform the heat dissipatingoperation when the current time t has not reached the heat dissipationstart time point ti or when the current time t has reached the heatdissipation stop time point te or passed the heat dissipation stop timepoint te. In this case, the controller 42600 is not able to obtain theheat dissipation request message.

When the controller 42600 has failed to obtain the heat dissipationrequest message, the controller 42600 does not perform the heatdissipating operation. Then, the controller 42600 may re-perform thedetermining of the heat dissipation request message obtaining condition.

The controller 42600 may determine that the heat dissipating operationis necessary when the current time t has reached the heat dissipationstart time point ti (includes the case in which the current time t isthe same as the heat dissipation start time point ti) and has notreached the heat dissipation stop time point te.

The controller 42600 may obtain the heat dissipation request message(S46400). The controller 42600 may obtain the heat dissipation requestmessage when the heat dissipating operation is determined to benecessary. Obtaining of the heat dissipation request message may notnecessarily mean performing the heat dissipating operation.

Hereinafter, as an embodiment of obtaining a heat dissipation requestmessage, a method of using a temperature sensor will be described withreference to FIG. 106 .

First, the controller 42600 may obtain temperature information on aportion of a special effect chair (S47100). The controller 42600 maydetermine, on the basis of the obtained temperature information, whetherthe heat dissipation request message obtaining condition is satisfied(S47200). Then, the controller 42600 may obtain the heat dissipationrequest message (S47300).

Hereinafter, each step will be described in detail.

First, the controller 42600 may obtain temperature information on theheat output module 42300 (S47100).

The special effect chair 42000 may further include a temperature sensormeasuring a temperature of a portion of the special effect chair 42000.A temperature value T measured from the temperature sensor may beprovided to the controller 42600. A location at which the temperaturesensor is disposed may be a portion of the thermoelectric element 42320or a portion of the contact portion 42400. Alternatively, thetemperature sensor may be disposed at a location at which it is easy forwaste heat to be accumulated in terms of structural features of thespecial effect chair 42000. The controller 42600 may interpret thetemperature value T to determine whether the heat dissipating operationis necessary.

The controller 42600 may determine, on the basis of the obtainedtemperature information, whether the heat dissipation request messageobtaining condition is satisfied (S47200).

The heat dissipation request message obtaining condition may be acondition of comparing a reference temperature value and the obtainedtemperature information. A plurality of reference temperature values maybe set. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, description will begiven by assuming that there are two reference temperature values.

The controller 42600 may have a first reference temperature value TR1and a second reference temperature value TR2 pre-stored therein. When athermoelectric operation is repeated in the thermoelectric element42320, a portion of the special effect chair 42000 may be heated to theextent that sensitivity of thermal feedback is degraded. When thethermoelectric operation is repeated more times, the heating of theportion of the special effect chair 42000 may reach a level beyond theextent that sensitivity of hot feedback is degraded which deterioratesdurability of the special effect chair 42000 and causes danger to theuser. A temperature value when the temperature value T measured by thetemperature sensor reaches the above-described level at which thesensitivity of thermal feedback is degraded is referred to as a firstreference temperature value TR1, and a temperature value when themeasured temperature value T reaches the level at which the durabilityof the special effect chair 42000 is deteriorated and a danger is causedto the user is referred to as a second reference temperature value TR2.Therefore, the second reference temperature value TR2 may be greaterthan the first reference temperature value TR1.

The controller 42600 may compare the temperature value T measured by thetemperature sensor with the first reference temperature value TR1 andthe second reference temperature value TR2. When the measuredtemperature value T is less than the first reference temperature valueTR1, the controller 42600 may determine that the heat dissipatingoperation is not necessary.

When the measured temperature value T is greater than or equal to thefirst reference temperature value TR1 and less than the second referencetemperature value TR2, the controller 42600 may determine that the heatdissipating operation is necessary.

When the measured temperature value T is greater than or equal to thesecond reference temperature value TR2, the controller 42600 maydetermine that the heat dissipating operation is urgently required.

By giving some examples of the measured temperature value, the heatdissipation request message obtaining condition will be described withreference to FIG. 107 . The vertical axis indicates a temperature valuemeasured by the temperature sensor. The horizontal axis is an axis forshowing the measured temperature values by distinguishing the measuredtemperature values.

A first temperature value B1 is less than the first referencetemperature value TR1. Therefore, when the measured temperature value Tis the first temperature value B1, the controller 4260 may determinethat the heat dissipating operation is not necessary.

A second temperature value B2 is greater than or equal to the firstreference temperature value TR1 and less than the second referencetemperature value TR2. Therefore, when the measured temperature value Tis the second temperature value B2, the controller 42600 may determinethat the heat dissipating operation is necessary.

A third temperature value B3 is greater than or equal to the secondreference temperature value TR2. Therefore, when the measuredtemperature value T is the third temperature value B3, the controller42600 may determine that the heat dissipating operation is urgentlyrequired.

When the controller 42600 has determined the heat dissipating operationto be unnecessary, the controller 42600 does not obtain the heatdissipation request message. In this case, if the heat dissipatingoperation is in progress, the controller 42600 may control the heatdissipating operation, which is in progress, to be stopped. Then, thecontroller 42600 may obtain temperature information again.

Next, the controller 42600 may obtain a heat dissipation request message(S47300).

When the controller 42600 has determined the heat dissipating operationto be necessary, the controller 42600 may obtain a general heatdissipation request message. Here, the general heat dissipation requestmessage may not necessarily mean that the heat dissipating operation isperformed (S47310).

When the controller 42600 has determined the heat dissipating operationto be urgently required, the controller 42600 may obtain an urgent heatdissipation request message. When the urgent heat dissipation requestmessage is obtained, the controller 42600 may perform the heatdissipating operation (S47320). When the urgent heat dissipation requestmessage is obtained, the controller may perform the heat dissipatingoperation after the heat dissipation permission message is determined tohave been obtained or regardless of whether the heat dissipationpermission message has been obtained.

Referring to FIG. 107 , when the temperature value T measured by thetemperature sensor has a size of the first temperature value B1, thecontroller 42600 does not obtain the heat dissipation request message.When the measured temperature value T has a size of the secondtemperature value B2, the controller 42600 obtains the general heatdissipation request message. When the measured temperature value T has asize of the third temperature value B3, the controller 42600 obtains theurgent heat dissipation request message.

The general heat dissipation request message and the urgent heatdissipation request message may include information on an intensity of aheat dissipating operation. Intensities of a heat dissipating operationincluded in the general heat dissipation request message and the urgentheat dissipation request message may be different from each other. Forexample, the fact that the urgent heat dissipation request message hasbeen provided may mean that the heat dissipating operation should beperformed at a stronger intensity. Therefore, the heat dissipatingoperation intensity included in the urgent heat dissipation requestmessage may be an intensity stronger than that of the heat dissipatingoperation included in the general heat dissipation request message.

Here, when there is correction on an intensity of thermal feedback, thereference temperature value may vary corresponding to the correction.

The second reference temperature value TR2 may be maintained to apredetermined value even if there is correction on an intensity ofthermal feedback. The second reference temperature value TR2 is atemperature value set in relation to device durability and user safety.Therefore, the second reference temperature value TR2 may be maintainedto a predetermined value regardless of correction of an intensity ofthermal feedback.

The first reference temperature value TR1 may have to be changedaccording to correction on an intensity of thermal feedback. When thethermal feedback intensity increases, an amount of generated heatprovided to the contact portion 42400 due to exothermic feedbackincreases. Accordingly, the temperature of the contact portion 42400increases when the exothermic feedback is provided. The user may sensehot feedback through the increased temperature of the contact portion42400. In this case, since the temperature of the contact portion 42400increases, a temperature value of the contact portion 42400 degradingthe sensitivity of hot feedback may also increase. Therefore, there is aneed to correct the first reference temperature value TR1 to beincreased. To this end, for example, the controller 42600 may store atable in which intensities of thermal feedback and the first referencetemperature value TR1 corresponding thereto are set in the internalmemory. When the controller 42600 recognizes that there is correction onan intensity of thermal feedback, the controller 42600 may refer to thetable and load the first reference temperature value TR1 correspondingto the corrected intensity of thermal feedback. The controller 42600 maydetermine, on the basis of the obtained first reference temperaturevalue TR1, whether the heat dissipation request message has beenobtained.

4.3. Heat Dissipation Permission Message

Hereinafter, obtaining a heat dissipation permission message in thespecial effect control system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention will be described using a specific embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 108 , as an embodiment of a method of obtaining a heatdissipation permission message, a flowchart of a method using a degreeof noise around a special effect is shown.

When the heat dissipation module 42500 is driven, for example, noise maybe generated due to driving of a heat dissipation fan. The generatednoise may be a factor interfering with enjoyment of multimedia content.Therefore, there is a need to minimize the generated noise. To this end,the heat dissipating operation may be designed to be performed only whennoise generated around the special effect chair 42000 by audiovisualvideo or other special effects provided to the user is sufficientlyloud.

First, the controller 42600 may obtain noise information (S48100). Thecontroller 42600 may determine whether the obtained noise informationsatisfies a heat dissipation permission message obtaining condition(S48200). The controller 42600 may obtain a heat dissipation permissionmessage (S48300).

Hereinafter, each step will be described in detail.

First, the controller 42600 may obtain noise information (S48100).

The controller 42600 may be connected to a noise sensor. The noisesensor may measure a volume of noise generated around the special effectchair 42000. The controller 42600 may receive a noise value N indicatingthe volume of noise from the noise sensor.

The controller 42600 may determine whether the obtained noiseinformation satisfies a heat dissipation permission message obtainingcondition (S48200).

The controller 42600 may store a reference noise value NR. The referencenoise value NR refers to a degree of noise that is determined not tointerfere with the user's immersion even when the heat dissipatingoperation is performed since sufficiently loud noise is being generatedin surroundings. Here, although there may be one or more reference noisevalues NR having different values, for convenience of description,description will be given assuming that there is only one referencenoise value NR. The controller 42600 may compare the noise value Nmeasured from the noise sensor with the reference noise value NR. Whenthe measured noise value N is less than the reference noise value NR,the controller 42600 may determine that the heat dissipating operationshould not be performed. In this case, the controller 42600 is unable toobtain the heat dissipation permission message. The controller 42600 mayobtain noise information again.

When the measured noise value N is greater than or equal to thereference noise value NR, the controller 42600 may determine thatperforming the heat dissipating operation is acceptable.

The controller 42600 may obtain the heat dissipation permission message(S48300).

When the controller 42600 has determined that it is okay to perform theheat dissipating operation, the controller 42600 may obtain the heatdissipation permission message. The fact that the heat dissipationpermission message is obtained does not necessarily mean that the heatdissipation module 42500 performs the heat dissipating operation.

Hereinafter, as another embodiment of obtaining a heat dissipationpermission message, a method utilizing motion information such asrotation/vibration of the seating portion 42200 will be described withreference to FIG. 109 .

First, the controller 42600 may obtain motion information on the seatingportion 42200 (S49100). Then, the controller 42600 may determine whetherthe obtained motion information satisfies a heat dissipation permissionmessage obtaining condition (S49200). The controller 42600 may obtainthe heat dissipation permission message (S49300).

Hereinafter, each step will be described in detail.

First, the controller 42600 may obtain motion information on the seatingportion 42200 (S49100).

There may be various methods in which the controller 42600 obtainsmotion information. For example, motion information on the seatingportion 42200 may be included in motion data. The motion information mayinclude information on a time point at which a motion effect includingrotation/vibration of the seating portion 42200 starts and a time pointat which the motion effect stops. The controller 42600 may receive themotion data from the central control device 41000. The controller 42600may interpret the motion data to obtain the motion information.

As another example in which the controller 42600 obtains motioninformation, the controller 42600 may be connected to an accelerationsensor. The acceleration sensor may sense a change in an accelerationthat is generated when the seating portion 42200 performs an operationsuch as rotation/vibration. The controller 42600 may receiveacceleration information from the acceleration sensor. The controller42600 may interpret/process the acceleration information to obtainmotion information on the seating portion 42200. The motion informationmay include information on an extent to which the rotation/vibrationoccurs in the seating portion 42200.

Next, the controller 42600 may determine whether the obtained motioninformation satisfies a heat dissipation permission message obtainingcondition (S49200).

For example, when the obtained motion information is informationobtained from motion data, the controller 42600 may compare the currenttime with the motion information.

The controller 42600 may know the current time. When the current timehas not reached the motion effect start time point, or when the currenttime has reached the motion effect stop time point (includes the case inwhich the current time and the motion effect stop time point are thesame or the case in which the current time has passed the motion effectstop time point), the controller 42600 may determine that the heatdissipating operation should not be performed. When the current time hasreached the motion effect start time point but has not reached themotion effect stop time point, the controller 42600 may determine thatit is okay to perform the heat dissipating operation.

As another example, when the obtained motion information is informationobtained from the acceleration sensor, the controller 42600 may use areference acceleration value. The reference acceleration value refers toan acceleration value in which acceleration is carried out to an extentthat does not interfere with the user's immersion even when the heatdissipating operation is performed when the rotation/vibration of theseating portion 42200 occurs. Although there may be one or morereference acceleration values having different values, for convenienceof description, description will be given assuming that there is onlyone reference acceleration value.

When the acceleration value measured from the acceleration sensor isless than the reference acceleration value, the controller 42600 maydetermine that the heat dissipating operation should not be performed.In this case, the controller 42600 is unable to obtain the heatdissipation permission message. The controller 42600 may obtain motioninformation of the seating portion 42200 again.

When the acceleration value measured from the acceleration sensor isgreater than or equal to the reference acceleration value, thecontroller 42600 may determine that it is okay to perform the heatdissipating operation.

The controller 42600 may obtain the heat dissipation permission message(S49300).

When the controller 42600 has determined that it is okay to perform theheat dissipating operation, the controller 42600 may obtain the heatdissipation permission message. The fact that the heat dissipationpermission message is obtained does not necessarily mean that the heatdissipating operation will be performed.

5. Method of Sensing Whether User is Seated

The special effect control system according to an embodiment of thepresent invention may sense whether a user is seated on the seatingportion 42200 and use the obtained seating information to controlthermal feedback and a heat dissipating operation to only be performedin a special effect chair 42000 on which the user is seated.

A considerable amount of electricity is consumed in driving of thespecial effect chair 42000. The special effect control system mayminimize electricity consumption by preventing special effects includingthermal feedback from being provided to special effect chairs 42000 onwhich users are not seated.

In order to sense whether a user is seated, the special effect chair42000 may further include a seating sensor. The seating sensor may becommunicatively connected with the controller 42600.

For example, the seating sensor may be a pressure sensor disposed at theseating portion 42200. The present sensor may determine whether a useris seated by sensing a weight of the seated user. Alternatively, theseating sensor may be a sensor measuring a bio-signal. When the user isseated, the bio-signal sensor may come in contact with a portion of theuser's body to measure a bio-signal, thereby determining whether theuser is seated. Alternatively, the seating sensor may be a sensormeasuring a change in electrical resistance.

The special effect control system according to another embodiment of thepresent invention may use movie theater seat use information to sensewhether a user is seated. Generally, a movie theater collects seat useinformation through reservation information or the like in order toprevent seats from being double-booked and to obtain a seat occupancyrate. The special effect control system may receive the seat useinformation from a server in which the seat use information is stored.The central control device 41000 may use the seat use information todetermine whether a user is seated on each special effect chair 42000.

The central control device 41000 may only provide special effect dataincluding thermal feedback and heat dissipation data to special effectchairs 42000 determined to have users seated thereon.

The special effect control system may continuously sense whether a useris seated. For example, when the user leaves a special effect chair42000 during reproduction of multimedia content, an operation of thecorresponding special effect chair 42000 should be stopped. Therefore,the controller 42600 may control each special effect providing device tostop provision of special effects.

According to circumstances, since special effects are continuously beingprovided in other adjacent special effect chairs 42000, separatelystopping the operation of only the special effect chair 42000 that theuser has left may be rather dangerous. Therefore, the controller 42600may control special effects to be continuously provided to the specialeffect chair 42000 even after the user has left. Whether to stop specialeffects in a special effect chair when a user has left the specialeffect chair may have been preset and stored in the central controldevice 41000 or the controller 42600 in the special effect chair 42000according to a situation in a movie theater.

The method according to an embodiment may be implemented as programinstructions executable by a variety of computers and may be recorded ona computer-readable medium. The computer-readable recording medium mayinclude a program instruction, a data file, a data structure, or acombination thereof. The program instruction recorded in the medium maybe designed and configured specially for the embodiment or may bepublicly known and available to those skilled in the field of computersoftware. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include amagnetic medium, such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, and a magnetictape, an optical medium, such as a compact disc read-only memory(CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc (DVD), etc., a magneto-optical mediumsuch as a floptical disk, and a hardware device specially configured tostore and perform program instructions, for example, a read-only memory(ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, etc. Examples ofthe program instructions include not only machine code generated by acompiler or the like but also high-level language codes that may beexecuted by a computer using an interpreter or the like. The hardwaredevice may be configured as at least one software module in order toperform operations of the embodiment and vice versa.

Although the present invention has been described with reference tospecific embodiments and features, it will be appreciated that variousvariations and modifications can be made from the invention by thoseskilled in the art. For example, suitable results may be achieved if thedescribed techniques are performed in a different order and/or ifcomponents in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit arecombined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented by othercomponents or their equivalents.

Accordingly, other implementations, embodiments, and equivalents arewithin the scope of the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for providing a thermal feedbackto a user playing a game content, the system comprising: a feedbackdevice configured to receive a thermal feedback message and perform athermoelectric operation according to the thermal feedback message; anda content reproduction device configured to: monitor whether a virtualthermal event is occurred at or near a virtual character in the gamecontent; obtain thermal feedback information corresponding to theoccurred virtual thermal event, wherein the thermal feedback informationincludes a type of a thermal feedback corresponding to the virtualthermal event and an intensity of a thermal feedback corresponding tothe virtual thermal event, wherein the type of the thermal feedback isdetermined based on a type of the virtual thermal event, and wherein theintensity of the thermal feedback is determined based on a relationbetween the virtual character and the virtual thermal event; generate athermal feedback message comprising a type field and a second fieldintensity field, wherein the type field reflects the type of the thermalfeedback, and the intensity field reflects the intensity of the thermalfeedback; and transmit the thermal feedback message to the feedbackdevice, wherein the feedback device performs a thermoelectric operationcorresponding to the type reflected by the type field with a thermalfeedback level corresponding to the intensity reflected by the intensityfield such that the user controlling the virtual character can feel thethermal feedback through the feedback device, and the thermoelectricoperation is performed through different current application modesaccording to the type reflected in the type field, and wherein thecurrent application modes include application modes in which currentdirections are different from each other.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the feedback device includes a first feedback device configuredto be gripped by a user's left hand and a second feedback deviceconfigured to be gripped by a user's right hand, the first feedbackdevice physically separated from the second feedback device, wherein thethermal feedback message includes a first thermal feedback message and asecond thermal feedback message different from the first thermalfeedback message, and wherein the content reproduction device is furtherconfigured to transmit the first thermal feedback message and the secondthermal feedback message to the first feedback device and the secondfeedback device, respectively, so that the user can feel differentthermal feedbacks at the left hand and the right hand.
 3. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the type field of the first thermal feedback messagereflects an endothermic operation and the type field of the secondthermal feedback message reflects an exothermic operation, and whereinthe first feedback device performs the endothermic operation accordingto the first thermal feedback message and the second feedback deviceperforms the exothermic operation according to the second thermalfeedback message.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the intensity fieldof the first thermal feedback message reflects a first intensity and theintensity field of the second thermal feedback message reflects a secondintensity stronger than the first intensity, and wherein the secondfeedback device performs stronger thermoelectric operation than thefirst feedback device.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedbackdevice includes a first grip portion configured to be gripped by auser's left hand and a second grip portion configured to be gripped by auser's right hand, the first grip portion physically connected to thesecond grip portion, wherein the thermal feedback message includes athird thermal feedback message for the first grip portion and a fourththermal feedback message for the second grip portion, and wherein thethird thermal feedback message is different from the fourth thermalfeedback message so that the user can feel different thermal feedbacksat the left hand and the right hand.
 6. The system of claim 5, whereinthe type field of the third thermal feedback message reflects anendothermic operation and the type field of the fourth thermal feedbackmessage reflects an exothermic operation, and wherein the first gripportion performs the endothermic operation according to the thirdthermal feedback message and the second grip portion performs theexothermic operation according to the fourth thermal feedback message.7. The system of claim 5, wherein the intensity field of the thirdthermal feedback message reflects a third intensity and the intensityfield of the fourth thermal feedback message reflects a fourth intensitystronger than the third intensity, and wherein the second grip portionperforms stronger thermoelectric operation than the first grip portion.8. The system of claim 1, wherein the feedback device includes a firstthermoelectric couple group and a second thermoelectric couple group,and wherein the first thermoelectric couple group and the secondthermoelectric couple group are controlled independently of each other.9. The system of claim 8, wherein the thermal feedback informationfurther includes a movement of a thermal feedback, wherein the movementof the thermal feedback is determined based on a movement of a heatsource relative to the virtual character in the game content, whereinthe thermal feedback message further comprises a movement fieldreflecting the movement of the thermal feedback, and wherein the firstthermoelectric couple group and the second thermoelectric couple groupare controlled according to the movement field of the thermal feedbackmessage so that the user can feel a heat movement according to themovement of the heat source relative to the virtual character in thegame content.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the thermal feedbackinformation further includes time information representing at least oneselected from a group of a start time point for providing a thermalfeedback, an end time point for providing a thermal feedback, and a timeduration for providing a thermal feedback, wherein the thermal feedbackmessage generated by the content reproduction device further comprises atime field reflecting the time information, and wherein the feedbackdevice performs a thermoelectric operation corresponding to the timeinformation reflected by the time field.
 11. The system of claim 1,wherein the content reproduction device is further configured to whenthe type of the thermal feedback included in the thermal feedbackinformation is a type of a thermal feedback that cannot be performed bythe feedback device, substitute the type of the thermal feedback thatcannot be performed by the feedback device with a type of a thermalfeedback that can be performed by the feedback device according to apreset rule.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the type of the thermalfeedback that cannot be performed by the feedback device is a thermalgrill feedback, and the type of the thermal feedback that can beperformed by the feedback device is a hot feedback or a cold feedback.13. A method of providing a message to a feedback device for providing athermal feedback to a user, the method comprising: monitoring whether avirtual thermal event is occurred at or near a virtual character whichis controlled by the user; obtaining thermal feedback informationcorresponding to the occurred virtual thermal event, wherein the thermalfeedback information includes a type of thermal feedback correspondingto the virtual thermal event and an intensity of thermal feedbackcorresponding to the virtual thermal event, wherein the type of thethermal feedback is determined based on a type of the virtual thermalevent, and wherein the intensity of the thermal feedback is determinedbased on a relation between the virtual character and the virtualthermal event; generating a thermal feedback message comprising a typefield and a intensity field, wherein the type field reflects the type ofthe thermal feedback, and the intensity field reflects the intensity ofthe thermal feedback; and transmitting the thermal feedback message tothe feedback device, whereby the feedback device performs athermoelectric operation corresponding to the type reflected by the typefield with a thermal feedback level corresponding to the intensityreflected by the intensity field such that the user controlling thevirtual character can feel the thermal feedback through the feedbackdevice, and the thermoelectric operation is performed through differentcurrent application modes according to the type reflected in the typefield, and wherein the current application modes include applicationmodes in which current directions are different from each other.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the thermal feedback message includes afirst thermal feedback message for a first grip portion of the feedbackdevice and a second thermal feedback message for a second grip portionof the feedback device, and wherein the first thermal feedback messagecan be different from the second thermal feedback message.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the type field of the first thermal feedbackmessage can be different from the type field of the second thermalfeedback message.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the intensityfield of the first thermal feedback message can be different from theintensity field of the second thermal feedback message.
 17. The methodof claim 13, wherein the virtual thermal event includes an event that aheat source moves relative to the virtual character, wherein the thermalfeedback information further includes a movement of a thermal feedbackdetermined based on a movement of the heat source relative to thevirtual character, and wherein the thermal feedback message furthercomprises a movement field reflecting the movement of the thermalfeedback.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the thermal feedbackinformation further includes time information representing at least oneselected from a group of a start time point for providing a thermalfeedback, an end time point for providing a thermal feedback, and a timeduration for providing a thermal feedback, and wherein the thermalfeedback message further comprises a time field reflecting the timeinformation.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the method furthercomprises: determining whether the type of the thermal feedback includedin the thermal feedback information is a type of a thermal feedback thatcannot be performed by the feedback device; and when it is determinedthat the type of the thermal feedback included in the thermal feedbackinformation is a type of a thermal feedback that cannot be performed bythe feedback device, substitute the type of the thermal feedback thatcannot be performed by the feedback device with a type of a thermalfeedback that can be performed by the feedback device according to apreset rule.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the type of the thermalfeedback that cannot be performed by the feedback device is a thermalgrill feedback, and the type of the thermal feedback that can beperformed by the feedback device is a hot feedback or a cold feedback.